In March, Art Music Denmark, Danish Composers’ Society and Edition·S launched an Open Call for the new project ‘Genstart’. Here, musicians, composers and ensembles could apply for financial support to perform already existing works again and, in that context, also experiment with developing new concert formats.

In June, the selection committee, established to evaluate and choose candidates among the applicants, met. They chose the following applicants, whose projects made a particularly strong impression on the committee. We look forward to following the selected applicants’ concert projects in the coming period!

The selected musicians, composers, and ensembles are:

Lil Lacy
Lorenzo Colombo
To Stemmer
Njyd Quartet
Kjærbye/Maschmann Duo
CRAS Ensemble
Kirsten Voss / Kalun Leung
Copenhagen Clarinet Choir / Anders Lauge Meldgaard an Carolyn Goodwin
Mathias Reumert
Hehku Ensemble
Kvindestemmer
Vierhalbiert
Rudersdal Kammersolister
Fei Nie

In addition to financial support, the selected projects will also be offered support in the form of counseling regarding project development, planning, exposure and promotion.

About GENSTART

With the project Genstart, musicians, ensembles and composers had the opportunity to apply for funds to develop new concert formats with a focus on re-performing already existing works. Most new music and sound art pieces are only performed once or a few times. This means that neither the musicians nor the composers get the opportunity to further work on and optimize the works, whose potential therefore never fully unfolds. The consequence is a loss of quality for all involved parties – including the audience.

Through multiple performances and the accompanying closer collaboration between musicians and composers, we can elevate both the works, rehearsals, and interpretations to a higher level. Incorporating the works into innovative concert formats and consciously working with programming creates a better foundation for meaningfully conveying the music and thereby reaching a broader audience. In combination with strengthening the collaboration between musicians and composers, strategic and targeted work with programming and concert formats will support a more economically and artistically sustainable concert culture – both regarding existing works and new commissions.

GENSTART is supported by Augustinus Foundation, William Demant Foundation & Hoffmann og Husman’s Foundation.