{"id":95694,"date":"2023-04-11T12:08:37","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T16:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=95694"},"modified":"2023-04-17T16:17:45","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T20:17:45","slug":"interview-composer-ana-sokolovic-talks-judging-azrieli-music-prizes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2023\/04\/11\/interview-composer-ana-sokolovic-talks-judging-azrieli-music-prizes\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | Composer Ana Sokolovi\u0107 Talks About Judging The Azrieli Music Prizes"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_95697\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-95697\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-95697\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/04\/Azrieli-judge-interview.jpg\" alt=\"At the 2022 Azrieli Music Prizes Gala Concert held on October 20, 2022 at the Maison symphonique de Montr\u00e9al (L-R): Sharon Azrieli, Aharon Harlap (2022 Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music), Iman Habibi (2022 Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music), Sepideh Raissadat, Zhongxi Wu, Rita Ueda (2022 Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music), Zhongxi Wu, and Alexandre Bloch (Photo: Danylo Bobyk)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-95697\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the 2022 Azrieli Music Prizes Gala Concert held on October 20, 2022 at the Maison symphonique de Montr\u00e9al (L-R): Sharon Azrieli, Aharon Harlap (2022 Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music), Iman Habibi (2022 Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music), Sepideh Raissadat, Zhongxi Wu, Rita Ueda (2022 Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music), Naomi Sato, and Alexandre Bloch (Photo: Danylo Bobyk)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Azrieli Music Prizes are currently open for submissions from composers in four categories. With the submission deadline of May 5, 2023 approaching for the next round of prizes scheduled for 2024, we spoke to returning judge and composer Ana Sokolovi\u0107.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a look at the prizes and the process.<\/p>\n<h3>The Azrieli Music Prizes<\/h3>\n<p>The Azrieli Music Prizes are part of the Azrieli Foundation&#8217;s commitment to supporting music, culture and the arts. The focus of this year&#8217;s competition is choral music, including works for a cappella mixed voice choir plus up to four additional instruments and\/or soloists.<\/p>\n<p>Since their inception in 2014, the prizes for composition have expanded to now include four separate categories:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Commission for International Music<\/strong> \u2014 open to composers from around the world for a project that examines the diversity of global culture in creative ways;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prize for Jewish Music<\/strong> \u2014 for the best new and undiscovered work of Jewish music, which can include pieces composed during the last 75 years, but which have not had a significant performance or recording history;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Commission for Jewish Music<\/strong> \u2014 which asks composers to consider (and respond to) the question &#8220;What is Jewish music?&#8221;;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Commission for Canadian Music<\/strong> \u2014 offered to a Canadian composer whose proposed work creatively tackles the issues inherent in writing music in contemporary Canada.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Awarded every two years, the prize includes <strong>$50,000 CAD<\/strong> for each category. For the three commission categories, the funding allows the composers the time and resources to complete their proposed work.<\/p>\n<p>Aside from the Prize for Jewish Music, the judges are only considering proposed works. The proposal is supported by scores and other documentation; nonetheless, they&#8217;re judging an idea rather than a finished work.<\/p>\n<p>There are separate juries for each of the prizes. The four winning composers will be involved in the whole process, from rehearsals to performances and a recording of their work. The world premiere of all four pieces will take place in Montreal at a gala concert. Along with the gala premiere, their works will be performed on another two subsequent occasions internationally, and professionally recorded for future release.<\/p>\n<p>The judging process begins after the submission deadline of May 5, and the next AMP Gala Concert will take place in the fall of 2024, featuring L&#8217;Orchestre symphonique de Montr\u00e9al Chorus.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_95698\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-95698\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-95698\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/04\/Ana-couleur_credit-Andre-Parmentier_high-res-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ana Sokolovi\u0107 (Photo: Andr\u00e9 Parmentier)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"857\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-95698\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ana Sokolovi\u0107 (Photo: Andr\u00e9 Parmentier)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Ana Sokolovi\u0107<\/h3>\n<p>Qu\u00e9bec-based composer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anasokolovic.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ana Sokolovi\u0107<\/a> is known internationally for her creative works, ranging from operas to orchestral pieces, solo and chamber works. She&#8217;s been part of the Azrieli judging process since the prizes began.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m judging it since the beginning,\u201d she says. \u201cThe first time, actually, I was invited, proposed by Joseph Rouleau. He was [Chair] of the [AMP advisory council].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After Rouleau, a bass with an international reputation and lifelong champion of Canadian music, passed away in 2019, Ana assumed his position as Chair. \u201cOf course, I consider it somehow my baby. I was the only composer in the advisory [council]. It was very important to have a composer here. They knew they needed a composer to launch a competition for composers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The AMP launched with the two prizes for Jewish music, later adding the Canadian music commission. The next iteration in 2024 is the first to include an International Music category. Ana has sat on the Jewish Music Prize jury, and is currently part of the Canadian Music Jury.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think it will be the last one,\u201d she says of the latest category addition. \u201cWe\u2019ll have one concert with four pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Success, for each category, largely revolves around the specific criteria the composers are asked to respond to. \u201cOf course, each composition and competition has rules, but it\u2019s very much related to the ability of composers to compose in this format,\u201d Sokolovi\u0107 explains. This year\u2019s competition, for example, focuses on choral works. \u201cTo see that someone has the ability to write for a choir, and <em>wants<\/em> to write for a choir, that\u2019s important,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>Technical ability, in other words, is not the only aspect that the judges will consider. For the three commission categories, participants will have to be able to explain the project they\u2019re proposing in enough detail to capture its qualities.<\/p>\n<p>The four judging panels include composers, conductors and musicologists who analyze the entries with the criteria of each category in mind. They look at issues of authenticity when it comes to cultural expression.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThree things are important: your talent, ability to write, so technical knowledge, and then the project.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RpzY_RPA3nc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p>Given AMP\u2019s prizes and profile, many applications are received, which then go through a long process of consideration.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the beginning, you see the people who are too young and inexperienced.\u201d Those entries are, naturally, the first that are eliminated. The rest are sifted through with a view to how well they respond to each category. \u201cWe end up with maybe a dozen, and then we end up with maybe five. Then, it\u2019s difficult to put them in order,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s a very, very interesting process.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Having a varied panel of judges is key to a fair process. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to do the jury process,\u201d she explains. \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s important that we have several people \u2014 we discuss.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There are rewards for the hard work. \u201cIt\u2019s not necessary joyful in the sense of hedonism. We\u2019re happy at the end, but it\u2019s not easy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Over the course of the years and the time spent on judging panels, Sokolovi\u0107 has gained an impression of the breadth of the new generation of composers. \u201cNew composers, young composers, they are always in a reaction with the people who came before them,\u201d she explains. \u201cWe can find in the new generation all types of music technically. Some write very tonal music. Some are doing very experimental techniques \u2014 adding non-traditional instruments,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat is important for us is that the project makes sense, and also that it\u2019s relevant, and that it\u2019s technically well done. The directions are multiple. We receive all kinds of different proposals.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Her own experiences with competitions improved over time. \u201cOf course, when I was very young, I applied to a lot of competitions,\u201d she says. \u201cWhen I was older, I did get them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As she points out, though, in several respects, the AMP competition is unique. \u201cHere, what is amazing is that there is a proposal, and the flexibility to choose the instruments you want to add. It\u2019s up to you to decide.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For composers entering the competition, there is more than money at stake. \u201cIt\u2019s really very, very respectful for the composer,\u201d she notes. \u201cIt\u2019s not just the monetary prize, it\u2019s that they are well treated.\u201d She notes the significant rehearsal time available, along with the other perks of the prizes. \u201cIt\u2019s not always the case.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Azrieli Music Prizes are open for submissions until May 5; more information <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/app.getacceptd.com\/azrielifoundation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Good luck to all the applicants.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><em><b>#LUDWIGVAN<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n<p class=\"western\"><em>Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><em>Sign up for the Ludwig van Daily \u2014 classical music and opera in five minutes or less <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/ludwig-van.us9.list-manage.com\/subscribe?u=4f785cb3f9058f2393ccad035&amp;id=57cdb68eac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>HERE<\/em><\/a>.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We spoke to returning judge and composer Ana Sokolovi\u0107 about the Azrieli Music Prizes, with the submission deadline of May 5 approaching.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":95697,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[40430,5,17,18,4967,29],"tags":[266,27880,39857],"yst_prominent_words":[25260,23314,34556,8509,37864,34564,34559,7599,6882,23313,6616,27872,34565,34561,27875,18410],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/04\/Azrieli-judge-interview.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-oTs","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95694"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95694"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95862,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95694\/revisions\/95862"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/95697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95694"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=95694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}