Congratulations to Athanasia Kontou, winner of the RLPO’s Christopher Brooks Composition Prize.
The postgraduate is the third RNCM composer to receive the accolade, following in the footsteps of alumnae Bethan Morgan-Williams and Grace-Evangeline Mason.
Established in 2015, the Prize is open to composers aged 18-30 living, studying or working in the counties of Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. It provides an opportunity for them to develop their talent and access mentoring and guidance from leading artists and industry professionals, and culminates in a new work written for Ensemble 10/10.
In addition to a bespoke support programme, Athanasia also wins a £1000 cash prize and a year’s complimentary membership of The Ivors Academy of Music Creators.
She said: ‘It is a great honour to be this year’s recipient of the Christopher Brooks Composition Prize. I am most grateful to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society for this incredible recognition and the chance to work with the fantastic Ensemble 10/10. I have no doubt that it will be an experience of a lifetime.’
Peter Garden, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Executive Director (Performance and Learning) said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Athanasia to Liverpool Philharmonic this year. We look forward to supporting her journey through The Christopher Brooks Composition Prize and celebrating the performance of her new composition, as part of our strong commitment to commissioning new music.’
Hailing from Greece, Athanasia’s music has been workshopped by the BBC Singers, Elias String Quartet and ensemble deCompagnie (BE). Her first orchestral work was premiered by the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra in May 2017, and other works have been performed in Greece, London, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Austria.
