The Well-Tempered Ear
Classical music: American composer Michael Djupstrom wins first Delius award in the UK. | August 2, 2012
By Jacob Stockinger
Olympic swimmers and gymnasts aren’t the only Americans winning prizes, awards and medals across the Atlantic these days.
Recently, American composer Michael Djupstrom (below) – a new name to The Ear – was named first prize winner of the inaugural contest that was launched to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of the british composer Frederick Delius. Djupstrom won the award for his composition “Walimai” (at bottom) for piano and viola.
Perhaps the contest for composers will help to bring some attention to Delius (below), whose “English Impressionist” style can seem precious but who has been overshadowed by the 150th anniversary of the birth of the revolutionary modernist French Impressionist composer Claude Debussy, whose music has been much more influential and much more performed.
Here is a link to a story about the Delius contest:
And here is a link to the composer’s home website, where you will find a relatively local angle: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has commissioned a work from Djupstrom.
http://www.michaeldjupstrom.com
3 Comments »
[...] Classical music: American composer Michael Djupstrom wins first Delius award in the UK. (welltempered.wordpress.com) [...]
Pingback by Roald Smeets, the Franco-Flemish Schoo « Roald Smeets — August 26, 2012 @ 10:22 am
A few years back, the University Wind Ensemble performed Michael’s “Homages”. It’s quite a thrilling and wonderful work. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Scott — August 7, 2012 @ 11:10 am
Hi Scott,
It got past me, I am sorry to say.
So thank you for setting the record straight — and for adding your p[rise about his music.
I still want to hear some live.
Best,
Jake
Comment by welltemperedear — August 7, 2012 @ 11:55 am