Sunday Concerts: The Clements Prize for Composers

Alfred J. Clements (1858-1938) was the organiser and secretary of the South Place Sunday Concerts (predecessor of Conway Hall Sunday Concerts) from their inception in 1887 until his death.  In the first half of the twentieth century the competition bearing his name encouraged the composition of new chamber works, establishing a tradition which set Conway Hall right at the centre of British contemporary music.

After the disaster wrought on the music industry by the coronavirus in 2020, Conway Hall Sunday Concerts is keen to support young musicians and new music in whatever way possible.  2021 sees the re-launch of The Clements Prize, which will call for new compositions for string trio.

Alongside the competition, scores submitted for previous editions from the Conway Hall Archive will be available for the first time via the Conway Hall website and a selection exhibited before the final round of the competition.  We are grateful to Cockayne – Grants for the Arts and to The London Community Foundation for making this exciting event possible.

Tickets give access to the final round performance by members of the Piatti Quartet (including Joseph Phibb‘s Quartet No. 1, played while the Jury deliberates) and to the exhibition of scores in the Conway Hall Library.

We are pleased to announce that the following 7 pieces have been chosen to be performed by members of the Piatti Quartet on 17 October.  The winning composer – chosen by a panel of distinguished musicians – will receive a prize of £3,000.

You can find out more about each composer by clicking on their name.

Jacob Fitzgerald | trio erasmus (2021)
Alex Groves | Three Forms (2021)
Vivek Haria | Ennui (2021)
Noah Max | Sojourn (2017)
Emily Pedersen | Partnership (2021)
Alexander Verster | The Tunemonger (2021)
Dominic Wills | Indris (2021)

Our panel:

Andrew Burke (Chief Executive & Artistic Director, London Sinfonietta)
Midori Komachi (Violinist & Composer)
Simon Callaghan (Pianist, Producer & Director, Conway Hall Sunday Concerts)
Yshani Perinpanayagam (Chamber & Orchestral Pianist, Composer & Music Director)
Members of the Piatti Quartet

About the Sunday Concerts

Founded in the 1880s, our chamber music concert series is the longest-running of its kind in Europe. Conway Hall was purpose-built in 1929 to host concerts and lectures, and they have continued here until the present day. The ethos of “affordable classical music for all” still remains.

We are pleased to be able to welcome an audience for this performance, and will also stream the concert on YouTube Live and Vimeo. Attendance in person may not be possible if government guidelines change prior to the event. We reserve the right to make this event livestream only and will inform ticket holders in advance.