Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center has awarded the 2018 Stoeger Prize for composers to Marc-André Dalbavie. The Frenchman will receive USD25,000 (€22,100).
In its citation, the jury described his work as, “sensitive and evocative while dynamic and powerful.” They added that, “it is a privilege to add Dalbavie to this group of esteemed composers.”
His CV includes commissions for Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, BBC Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic and many more besides. He’s also been commissioned by institutions such as the BBC Proms, Aspen Music Festival and Cité de la Musique.
In addition to chamber and orchestral work, Dalbavie debuted his first opera Gesualdo at Opernhaus Zurich in 2010, while in 2012 he was commissioned by the New York City Ballet.
Dalbavie commented: “Chamber music demands the most rigorous discipline from a composer and it is always a pleasure to write for musicians who are friends. Also, as a composer working alone, feeling a little isolated, it is always reassuring to know that somewhere in the world, some people have received the sound waves coming out of my imagination.”
The Stoeger Prize recognises composers for their entire oeuvre, rather than for a specific piece. Former winners include Oliver Knussen (1990), Thomas Ades (1998), Chen Yi (2002), Thomas Larcher (2014) and Huw Watkins (2016).