In early July '22, works by four young composers were performed by the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in the presence of several members of the Friends of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation. One of the composers was the Spanish Sílvia Lanao.

The event in Studio 5 was the second edition of the project in which a stipend is awarded annually to young, enthusiastic composers. In 2021, the first stipend went to the Dutch-Israeli composer Karmit Fadael. A committee, consisting of musicians of the RFO and composer/conductor Micha Hamel, has decided to award the second stipend to Sílvia Lanao. She may compose two works next season and attend all orchestra rehearsals.

Sílvia Lanao

Composer Sílvia Lanao (1995, Spain) is fascinated by different sound colours and sound structures. She began her composition studies at the Conservatori Liceu in Barcelona. Her open-minded and critical nature brought her to Amsterdam, where she completed her Bachelor of Composition at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with Wim Henderickx and Willem Jeths. In 2018 she won the first prize, the Alba Rosa Viëtor composition prize at the Alba Rosa Viva! festival.

New music and young talent

During the first lockdown, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra started a series of 'corona compositions', in order to be able to play new music during the corona crisis. The success of this series of world premieres inspired the Friends of the RFO to develop an annual project and to award a scholarship to a young composer.
The creation of new music and the development of talent are among the core tasks of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. It is now more important than ever to support Dutch composers with commissions. With the Stipendium, young talent is supported and given the opportunity to work with a professional orchestra for a year.
The Stipendium has been made possible thanks to the financial support of the Friends of the RFO, an annual gift from an RFO fan and the municipality of Hilversum, in cooperation with Podium Witteman.