ABOUT THE ANTHOLOGY

In 2012, PARMA Recordings launched our first Student Composer Competition, an opportunity for young and emerging composers to showcase their abilities and originality in a variety of ensemble combinations, from string quartet to brass quintet to full orchestra and more.

 

As a way to turn more people on to the large number of well-crafted and inspired scores we received, we created the PARMA Anthology of Music in order to recognize and bring attention to these composers, these creators of phenomenal and innovative works, new amalgamations of styles and genres, new conceptions of form and structure, and new methods of expression and execution.

 

The criteria for this year’s Anthology were basic and clear: all applicants had to be 30 years old or younger and must actively be studying composition, while the submitted pieces must be scored for standard orchestral configuration of 2, 2, 2, 2 – 4, 3, 3, 1 – percussion – strings, with optional piano and harp, and have a duration of no more than 10 minutes.

 

The Competition received a huge number of worthy scores, and included here is what our panel of judges felt to be the strong entries.  We hope you agree.

 

PARMA’s goal here, as with all of our projects, recordings, and endeavors, is to shine a bright light on music that is engaging and enervating.  We’ll leave the categorizations to others.

 

Enjoy the music!

 

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Bob Lord

CEO, PARMA Recordings