The USA International Harp Competition has announced the winner of its 2012 Solo Harp Composition Contest. Benjamin Attahir, of Toulouse, France, has received first place for his workDe l’obscurité II, which will be required repertoire in Stage 3 of the 9th USA International Harp Competition. Currently under commission by the Lucerne Festival, Benjamin Attahir studied composition, conducting, and violin at the Paris Conservatoire; other prizes he has received include the Concours Général, SACEM, and the International Rostrum of Composers UNESCO. The work, published by Lyon & Healy Publications, will be available by March 1st. Lyon & Healy is a sponsor of the event, along with the American Harp Society, who provided a grant for the $2,000 first prize award.
The contest drew 81 entries from 24 countries. Others placing in the final round were: What is Danced…(and what is not), by Eric Chasalow (USA); Storm’s Morrow, by Amit Gilutz (Israel); Chants, by Viktor Hartobanu (Germany), Indiana, by Andres Izmaylov (Russian Federation); Shindychew Dances, by Stephen Taylor (USA); and The Curl-up, by Alan Thomas (UK).
The international jury for the Composition Contest consisted of composer Claude Baker (USA), and the following harpists: Deborah Fleisher (USA); Alice Giles (Australia); Katerina Gima (Greece); Ruth Inglefield, Jury Chair (USA); Bridget Kibbey (USA); and Naoko Yoshino (Japan).
The 9th USA International Harp Competition will take place July 10–20, 2013, in Bloomington, Ind. Visit their website atwww.usaihc.org for more information.
