In Monday’s (11/26) New York Times, Daniel J. Wakin writes, “The Dutch composer Michel van der Aa, 42, has won the University of Louisville’s 2013 Grawemeyer Award for music composition in recognition of his work ‘Up-close’ for cello, string ensemble, electronic soundtrack and film. The work is defined by interaction between the live musicians and a mysterious woman in the film, whose actions appear to reflect the cello soloist. The 30-minute piece is a ‘virtuoso cello concerto but also a fascinating multimedia experience that defies simple classification,’ Marc Satterwhite, the award director, said in a statement. The European Concert Hall Organization commissioned ‘Up-close,’ which was first performed at Stockholm in 2011. It was written for the cellist Sol Gabetta and the Amsterdam Sinfonietta. The Grawemeyer is one of the world’s most lucrative music prizes, valued at $100,000. One of Mr. van der Aa’s teachers, Louis Andriessen, won the 2011 award.”
Posted November 26, 2012
