Resonate Magazine | Australian Music Centre

Six Australian composers have been shortlisted for the 2022 Paul Lowin Orchestral and Song Cycle Prizes, two of the richest music composition prizes offered in Australia.

The shortlist for the Paul Lowin Song Cycle Prize - recognising excellence in Australian compositions for voices and chamber ensemble - include works by: Brett Dean, Elliott Gyger, and Cameron Lam.

The shortlist for the Paul Lowin Orchestral Prize - recognising excellence in composition for modern chamber or symphony orchestra - include works by: Anne Cawrse, Paul Dean, and Matthew Hindson.

The shortlisted works have been selected in a blind assessment for their merit in composition technique and contribution to the repertoire. With the spirit of the competition, the Paul Lowin Prizes commends works by Australian composers that are "modern but not too modern" in style.

Earlier this year, the competition called for nominations for orchestral and song cycle works written in the past three years. Close to 100 eligible entries submitted by composers and the general public were judged in the competition. All shortlisted works can be said to be among the best of Australian composition in their respective categories since the last competition was held in 2019.

Shortlisted for the Paul Lowin Orchestral Prize for Symphony No.1, "Black Summer", Brisbane-based composer Paul Dean says:

"Being shortlisted for the Paul Lowin Prize this year is an unexpected and wonderful honour. I have followed the Prize since its inception and have always been fascinated by the chosen works and the beautiful picture they describe about the story of Australian composition."

Shortlisted for their song cycle The Splendour of Lying Naked in the Sun Melbourne-based composer Cameron Lam says:

"I'm deeply honoured to be shortlisted for the Paul Lowin Prizes, an award I've followed for a long time and has featured composers and works I've long admired. Song cycles are a format I find deeply inspiring, both from my early history as a lieder and art song singer, to my current practice as a composer. I'm grateful this piece seems have connected with the assessment panel and I hope The Splendor of Lying Naked in the Sun adds something to the excellent repertoire available."

The recipients of the Paul Lowin Prizes will be announced at a special invitation-only award ceremony in Sydney on Monday 14 November 2022.

This year, the award ceremony will take place in conjunction with the annual Peggy Glanville-Hicks Address, with two keynote speeches to be delivered by music education advocate Dr Anita Collins and one of Australia's leading First Nations composer and didgeridoo performer, William Barton.

SHORTLIST - PAUL LOWIN SONG CYCLE PRIZE ($15,000)

• Brett Dean - Madame ma bonne sœur (2021) for mezzo-soprano and string quartet
  
  
• Elliott Gyger - Autobiochemistry (2019) for mezzo-soprano and cello
  
  
• Cameron Lam - The Splendour of Lying Naked in the Sun (2022) for soprano, mezzo-soprano, counter tenor, tenor, baritone, and bass.

SHORTLIST - PAUL LOWIN ORCHESTRAL PRIZE ($25,000)

• Anne Cawrse - The Rest is Silence - Concerto for Cor Anglais and Orchestra (2021)
  
  
• Paul Dean - Symphony No. 1, "Black Summer" (2021)
  
  
• Matthew Hindson - Soprano Saxophone Concerto (2019)

More about the Paul Lowin Prizes.