New composition competition for choir and organ launched in Paris

A new double composition competition was launched in September by the Association pour le rayonnement des orgues Aristide Cavaillé-Coll de l'église Saint-Sulpice (AROSS), in Paris.

Celebrating 30 years since the restoration of the church’s famous Cavaillé-Coll organ (1862), the Association invites composers to write an organ work specifically geared towards the organ builder’s magnum opus, and/or a piece for choir and the Choir Organ.

The organ work – of 5 to 7 minutes – will be a new creation that takes into account the specificities of the organ of Saint-Sulpice, including the instrument’s specification, sonorities, balance, and registration system. The composition and the specificities of the organ can be found here. Candidates will find links to historical and technical publications in French and English. No visits to the organ will be allowed, but candidates my write to composition@aross.fr with any questions on the functioning and features of the instrument; the (anonymous) questions and answers will be posted online, in French and English, here.

Requirements for the choral composition will be announced in January 2021.

The names of the pre-selected candidates whose works will be performed at the Final will be announced on 1 July and 15 September respectively; the final will be held in Saint-Sulpice on 21 November 2021.

The jury comprises: Philippe Hersant (FR, president), Martina Batič (SI), Estelle Lowry FR), Kaija Saariaho (FI), Yves Castagnet (FR), Bernard Foccroulle (BE), and Thomas Lacôte (FR).

The competition is open to anyone of any nationality who is at least 18 years old by 15 May 2021.

Full terms and conditions may be found here.

Closing date: 15 May 2021