Alex Paxton awarded the Claussen-Simon Composition Prize

Hamburg, 6 October 2023: Alex Paxton (32) has been awarded the Claussen-Simon Composition Prize. A brand new work by the British composer will be premiered by Alan Gilbert and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra in spring 2025 as part of the »Elbphilharmonie Visions« festival. A high-calibre jury headed by Alan Gilbert made a preliminary selection from 150 anonymously submitted sketches, then made its final decision after a so-called »reading session« where the composers had the opportunity to work with the orchestra. The jury heaped particular praise on Paxton’s independent and unusually colourful compositional language, which is distinctly different from other aesthetic positions adopted in contemporary new music. Also on the jury was the Swedish composer Lisa Streich, the first winner of the Claussen-Simon Composition Prize, whose work »Flügel« (»Wings«) was received with great enthusiasm by audiences and critics alike at this year’s edition of »Elbphilharmonie Visions«. Other members of the jury included the composers Matthias Pintscher, Prof. Dr. Reinhard Flender and Prof. Fredrik Schwenk from the Hamburg University of Music and Drama. The Claussen-Simon Composition Prize, endowed with 15,000 euros, is awarded in partnership with the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra.

Alan Gilbert, Principal Conductor of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra commented: »Alex Paxton’s fascinating score made a strong impression on me from the very first moment on. Without any knowledge of the composer’s name or background, the notes literally jumped out from the page at me; it was obvious that this was a unique compositional voice, combining a complex, almost chaotic sensibility with a charming grounding in folk tradition.«

Alex Paxton is looking forward to working with the orchestra in this special space: »I feel very privileged to have been awarded this prize. I try to write music that is as sonorous and stimulating as possible throughout every moment of every work. The aim is to transfer my musical language, which comes from a performative place, to the symphony orchestra. It was a wonderful experience working with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra. The musicians were all so friendly and sounded fantastic. I’m particularly grateful for the respectful way Alan Gilbert approached rehearsals of the work.«

Prof. Dr. Regina Back, Managing Director of the Claussen-Simon Foundation added: »Selecting Alex Paxton for this prize, the independent jury has chosen a rising star on the international composer scene whose innovative approach to music is both surprising and inspiring. We are very excited about the new work he will now write and look forward to its world premiere during ›Elbphilharmonie Visions‹ in February 2025.«

About Alex Paxton

Born in Manchester in 1990[RS2] , Alex Paxton is a composer and improvising trombonist. He studied Jazz and Composition at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music in London. His music has been performed by a host of renowned orchestras and ensembles, including Ensemble Modern, the London Sinfonietta, the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Nouvel Ensemble Contemporain. In 2021 he was awarded the Ivor Novello Composer Award and in 2023 he received the Hindemith Prize. His works include »NOW ER ARE DUH-DUR« for a large ensemble, »RAINY RAIN RAIN« for six singers and piano, and »PRAYER with Strings«. Alex Paxton has written six operas to date, including »NOGGIN and the WHALE«, »WOOLF MUSIC« and »BEL and the DRAGON«. His music is published by Ricordi (Berlin).

Claussen-Simon Composition Prize

The Claussen-Simon Composition Prize is intended to enable an emerging composer to premiere a large-scale work in a musically excellent setting, while offering them support during the composition process both musically relating to the work itself and in terms of organisational matters. Thanks to the partnership between the three renowned institutions, the prize-winner receives extensive support, valuable experience and active assistance in establishing themselves as a professional composer. A central focus is on the direct exchange with the conductor, orchestra, concert hall and foundation.