Ruzickova Composition Competition 2024

Deadline: 30 April 2024 00:00

Following last year's international success our Composition Competition is back for its 5th year! Inspired by Zuzana Ruzickova, one of the leading harpsichordists of the 20th century, we continue to champion new music for period instruments.

We're honoured to name our competition in her memory and would like to encourage you to read more about Zuzana here.

The composition

This year we are looking for:

  • Option 1 – a sonata for baroque violin and harpsichord of between 7-10 minutes duration

OR

  • Option 2 – a sonata for 2 baroque violins and harpsichord of between 7-10 minutes duration (please see full competition rules below).

While sonatas are typically written in 2-4 movements, your piece may be in as many, or as few movements as you wish. It is completely up to you!

How?

Up to 5 winning compositions will be selected by the jury and announced on 1st June 2024.​

Viktor Kalabis Prize – Up to 5 successful works will be recorded and released on a digital album with FHR label this Autumn and a promotional video will be filmed by director Simon Helbling and his crew.

Prima la musica Prize - 5 winning compositions will be published by one of the UK's foremost early music publishers Prima la musica! 

Winning compositions will be promoted throughout 2024/2025 by Ada Witczyk* across all social media platforms.

1 Feb 2024

APPLICATIONS OPEN

No fee, no age limit and open to all nationalities, we threw out the rule book and gave composers just 3 months to compose their new piece in any style they pleased for baroque instruments.

30 April 2024

SUBMISSION PERIOD CLOSES

Stay tuned to find out more about this year's submissions

1 June 2024

WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

Baroque violinist Simon Standage, festival manager Nick Hardisty and competition founder Ada Witczyk join the judging panel to pick winning compositions.

July 2024

RECORDING WINNING PIECES

Recording chosen Viktor Kalabis Prize pieces.
Stay tuned for the album release!