The 68th International Rostrum of Composers was held in Palermo from 31 May to 3 June. The rostrum aims to promote modern classical music by exchanging performances of contemporary works among different radio organisations. The works chosen at last year’s meeting were played 600 times by the participating radio stations and members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Twenty-three national radio stations participated in this year’s Rostrum. They presented 41 compositions that had been written in the past five years, out of which they then chose and recommended the most prominent works in two categories – “general” and “composers under 30”.

The most outstanding work chosen in the general category was Between Trees (2021) by the Norwegian composer Kristine Tjøgersen. Other recommended works included a recording of the premiere of the concerto for cello and orchestra, UNVEILED, by Vito Žuraj from last year’s conclusion of the 69th Ljubljana Festival. The concerto was performed by the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kerem Hasan, and the soloist was the cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras. We are very pleased that our summer festival can help promote new musical compositions and launch them into the world. Congratulations to Vito Žuraj for this achievement!