Starting in 2021, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra has launched an annual stipend for young, talented composers. The first stipend has been awarded to Dutch-Israeli Karmit Fadael. 

New music and young talent

During the first lockdown, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra launched a series of "corona compositions" to allow new music to be heard during the corona crisis. The success of this series of world premieres inspired the Friends of the RFO to develop an annual project and award a scholarship to a young composer.

Making newly composed music sound and developing talent are among the core tasks of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Especially now it is more important than ever to support Dutch composers with commissions. With the 'Stipend Radio Philharmonic Orchestra' we support a young talent and give them the chance to work with a professional orchestra for a year.

This stipend came about thanks to the financial support of the Friends of the RFO, an annual gift from an RFO fan and the Hilversum municipality, in collaboration with Podium Witteman. It consists of composing four new works, one of which will be premiered at the Hilversum municipality's New Year's Meeting. The other compositions will be premiered throughout the year on the popular television program Podium Witteman, performed by members from the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Podium Witteman's adventurous house ensemble, Fuse.

Karmit Fadael
The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra Stipend for 2021 has been awarded to Dutch-Israeli Karmit Fadael. She studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Calliope Tsoupaki, Guus Janssen and Martijn Padding. She graduated in 2019 and has since composed for the Residentie Orkest, November Music and Doelen Ensemble, among others. "As a person I am emotional, opinionated, rational but also calm. You can recognize these traits in my music. In my work I am always looking for new sound combinations and try to appeal to both the audience and the musicians."

More information about Karmit and her music can be found here.