Concert
Enjoy performances of four reed quintets during the finale of the Alba Rosa Viëtor/Calefax Composers Competition: Akropolis Reed Quintet, Dianto Reed Quintet, Kalamos Reed Quintet and Calefax will all perform. Each quintet will perform one of the finalists’ compositions from the competition, as well as a highlight from their own repertoire. For this competition, composers under the age of 40 from all over the world were invited to write an original piece for reed quintet. The winning composer will receive a prize of €3,500, and the audience will also select a winner! These are the finalists:
Yumi Augustine Family Dinner Rhapsody
Japanese-American composer Yumi Augustine (2003) is a composition student at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. During her childhood in Japan, she explored a wide range of musical styles, from playing flamenco guitar to joining musical theater productions and choirs. Yumi composes for ensembles, singers and multidisciplinary projects. She is currently intrigued by composing theatre pieces, experimenting with text and working with relatable daily topics.
John Rotar Bullrush Dances
John Rotar (1995) is an Australian composer and conductor. Limelight magazine described him as a “talented and innovative composer”. Over 150 of his orchestral, choral, chamber and solo works have been performed by many leading arts organisations across Australia, Europe and North America. He is the artistic director of The Australian Voices and is active as a trombonist, singer, educator and is the organist and assistant director of music at historic Holy Trinity Church.
Jeroen Leentjens Radimlja
Jeroen Leentjens (Maastricht, 2003) began composing at the age of thirteen. In his compositions, he blends various styles such as classical, jazz, folk and electronic music. This combination results in a recognizable, exciting and energetic style. In 2022, he won the Princess Christina Composition Competition and he is currently studying composition at the Conservatoire of Amsterdam.
Björn Pinxter Una Rapsodia ardiente
Björn Pinxter (Castricum, 2001) is an upcoming Dutch composer. He has been studying composition at the Conservatoire of Amsterdam since 2023. His work has been performed at the Opera Forward Festival 2025 and new commissions include a choral work for Vokalisk A Cappella Ensemble and a string quartet commissioned by the HearAndNow Festival 2026.
First prize: €3,500
Second prize: €2,500
Audience prize: €1,000
Presentor Maartje Stokkers
Jury Maurits Haenen (Chair), Ties Mellema, Carola Bauckholt, Mayke Nas, Joey Roukens, Reinild Mees and Willem Jeths (pre selection).
This composition competition is a collaboration of the Alba Rosa Viëtor Composition Competition, the Calefax Composers Competition and Muziekgebouw Amsterdam.
Programme a.o.
Calefax: Alba Rosa Viëtor Pezzi for piano Carola Bauckholt Zugvögel
Dianto Reed Quintet: Primo Ish-Hurwitz 3 Preludes to El Amor Brujo
Kalamos Reed Quintet: Tomislav Uhlik Kalamosiad
Akropolis Reed Quintet: Ryan Lindveit Venus of Willendorf
Every ensemble will perform a finalist as well.