Double success at British Composer Awards

Schott Music is today celebrating the success of John Casken and Alexander Goehr who both won British Composer Awards yesterday evening.  The awards, run by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composer and Authors (BASCA) sets out to recognise the very best new music in the UK with wide ranging categories including orchestral, sonic art, liturgical and a new category for 2009, contemporary jazz.

Goehr's fantasy for percussion and string quartet, Since Brass nor Stone which was first performed by BBC New Generation Artists, The Pavel Hass Quartet and percussion extraordinaire Colin Currie won the hotly contested chamber music category.  The judges praised the winning work for its “fresh lyricism, lightness of touch and joy in melodic and rhythmic invention.” The panel’s decision was unanimous for a work which they hailed as that of a master.

Casken's The Dream of the Rood, a setting of the great Anglo-Saxon poem for four voices and ensemble which was first performed by the world renowned Hilliard Ensmeble and Ensemble 10/10, the new music ensemble of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, won the vocal award.  The judges commented - “This is an epic work setting a striking text. We were immediately gripped by its gravitas and beautiful harmonic language - a powerful and emotional piece.”

Highlights from the awards ceremony will be broadcast on 2 December at 7pm on BBC Radio 3 and will be available for the following 7 days on the BBC iPlayer.

• John Casken - Profile
• Alexander Goehr - Profile
• British Composer Awards