Photo: Ditte M. Joensen
"I compose in order to survive in this world. I need to be able to shut everything out and just zoom in on a single note."
In a recent interview in Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, Allan Gravgaard Madsen explained his existential need to compose, as he juggles simultaneous careers as radio comedian, organiser and composer. To add to his busy schedule, he can now look forward to attending the Carl Prize in Copenhagen this April.
BEINTA, the 2016 collaboration between Gravgaard Madsen and co-composer Anna Katrin Øssursdóttir Egilstrøð, has resulted in a nomination for a Carl Prize in the category 'Classical Composer of the Year – Large Ensemble'. Previous winners in this category include Per Nørgård and Simon-Steen Andersen, adding to the impact of the joint nomination for Gravgaard Madsen and Egilstrøð.
In December 2016 BEINTA received a Special Prize from the Danish Arts Foundation.
Nomination for Martin Stauning
Also nominated for a Carl Prize is Martin Stauning, who, by the way, recently took part in an independent podcast, reflecting on his compositional life so far.
Stauning's chamber piece Îles en Mer d'Argent for eight instruments, premiered last August by the Danish Chamber Players, is nominated in the category 'Classical Composer of the Year – Small Ensemble'. Previous winners in this category count composers such as Hans Abrahamsen, Poul Ruders and Bent Sørensen.
The Carl Prize was established in 2013, named after Carl Nielsen. Prizes are awarded to composers and songwriters in 14 different categories spanning different music genres. This year's ceremony takes place on April 24 in Tivoli, Copenhagen.
Learn more about BEINTA and Îles en Mer d'Argent in our web shop.