I.Tsuboi, P.N.Martin, J.Mérah, G.Benjamin, D.Fujikura, V.Zago photo (c) Michiharu Okubo

Finalists;
(Mr George Benjamin did the screening of the 100 entries at the end of November 2002, and selected 5 works listed hereunder.)

Joël Mérah (France / male / born in 1969) : Allégories
Born in Paris. He started his music studies at the Conservatoy in Bayonne with courses in guitar, harmony and analysis. And then studied composition at Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris under G. Grisey, M. Stroppa and others. He has also polished his guitar talents in the concerts. Worked as an assistant at IRCAM and was later invited to compose a contemporary ballet in Nairobi (Kenia) by the Gaara danse company. He teaches musical analysis as a professor at the Conservatory in Bayonne.

Dai Fujikura (Japan / male / born in 1977) : calling Timbuktu
Born in Osaka, Japan. At the 15 years old, he moved to England, and studied at Trinity College of Music under Daryl Runswick and is presently studying at Royal Collage of Music under Edwin Roxburgh. He won the Serocki International Competition in 1998, the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival Young Composers' Award. In 2000, his chamber opera"This Could Be Beautiful?" has been premiered in Hoxton Hall by Adorning Opera Company. The performances of his works include London Sinfonietta, London Symphony Orchestra String Quartet, the Polish Radio Orchestra and others. He will start to study in a doctor degree next year.

Phillip Neil Martin (UK / male / born in 1979) : Nights Bright Days
Born in Canterbury. Recent commissions include an orchestral fanfare for the London Philharmonic Orchestra to open their concert series at the Royal Festival Hall. And solo violin piece for the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition 2002 was performed with subsequent broadcasts on BBC television and radio. Recent performances include 'Landscape' for fifteen players at the Aldeburgh festival in June 2002. Graduated with a first class honours degree from the Royal College of Music in July. He is now studying on the master course under the continued tuition of Julian Anderson.

Vittorio Zago (Italy / male / born in 1967) : DA / Fort
Born in Vigevano, Pavia. He Obtained his diploma of piano in 1989. Studied composition at the Verdi Concervatory in Milan and took his diploma with full marks in 1993. In 1994 summer, he studied at Mozarteum, Salzburg under M. Kagel. In the same year, he won G. Petrassi prize and the 1st prize at the 16th National Composer's Competition Castello di Belveglio. And in 1999, won the International Composition Prize Citta di Pavia. Some of his works have been performed in many places in Italy, broadcasted by National Radio in Spain and Holland, recorded in a CD, and published by Recordi, Regginenti and Berben. He teaches composition at Conservatory in Cagliari. Selected one of the finalists of this same competition in 2000.

Ippo Tsuboi (Japan / male / born in 1975) : THE STAR THROWER
Born in Takarazuka, Japan. He was nominated to Sogaku Song Composition Competition in 1995. Graduated Tokyo Collage of Music. His work 'Ha-ni-wa' was included in the repertory of Tokyo PTNA Piano Competition in 2002.


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