Young composers competition fosters cross-cultural exchange

The inaugural 2025 International Competition for Young Composers, organized by the Central Conservatory of Music, Universal Edition Vienna, and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, concluded in Vienna, Austria, on Sunday.

Open to composers under 35, the contest aims to provide a global platform for showcasing musical talent while fostering cross-cultural academic exchange. Held biennially, this year's competition featured a mixed chamber music format. A total of 90 compositions from countries including China, Germany, the United States, Italy, Brazil, Croatia, Peru, and Singapore were submitted.

The judging panel included Jia Guoping and Dong Liqiang, and Judith Varga and Wolfgang Suppan. Following the first round, 12 works advanced to the semifinals. The Central Conservatory of Music also organized live performances of the semifinal compositions, allowing the judges to hear the works rather than relying solely on sheet music — a process aimed at ensuring accurate evaluations.

Six finalists performed their compositions at the grand final concert, where an international jury, including Qin Wenchen, Michael Jarrell, and Konstantia Gourzi, selected the winners.

First prize went to Yao Jiaxu's Fleeting Scenes in Time's Current, with Zhang Hanyu's When the Sound Ceases, Do the Ripples of the Heart Grow Louder?, and Liu Bingkai's The Spacetime Mandala taking second and third place. Mao Yuxuan's Primordial Migrations, Xu Chenxuan's Crimson Frosted Forest, and Thomas Pennisi's Sonus/lumen received the Finalist award. The scores of the six finalists will be published by Austria's Universal Edition publisher.

The contest's success and accompanying events marked a significant milestone in the ongoing cultural dialogue between China and Europe, advancing the global influence of Chinese contemporary music.