Held under the honorary founding patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Festival Patron and wife of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi Festival — the flagship initiative of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) — has named Daniele Gasparini as first place winner of the Orchestra Category for his composition En el Aire, and Andrey Zubets as first place winner of the Piano Category for his composition Mirror Preludes. Both were named laureates of the inaugural Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition (ADICC).
The competition received 165 submissions from 47 countries. The first place winners will premiere their work at the 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival in April 2026, with the performances streamed globally.
The competition, which opened in May 2025, is the Middle East’s first music composition competition and reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing global position as a UNESCO-designated City of Music and a centre of musical innovation and creative excellence. Through the establishment of this platform, ADMAF supports the emirate’s vision to advance contemporary music, elevate emerging talent, and support the next generation of international composers.
Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “Guided by our belief in the arts and music as a universal language for dialogue, and in creativity as a space for intellectual exchange, shared knowledge, and cultural connection, we launched the Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition as the Middle East’s first-ever international composition competition. Through this initiative, we seek to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s influential presence as a global City of Music – an incubator for innovation and a destination for creative excellence – by honouring young composers and celebrating outstanding works of musical composition.”
“In its inaugural edition, with more than 165 submissions from 47 countries, the Competition, across its two categories of orchestral compositions and solo piano works, offers a platform to spotlight emerging voices in contemporary music, by supporting creative talent and fostering artistic innovation that will help shape the future of music. The Abu Dhabi International Composition Competition embodies our commitment to supporting composers and documenting their innovative works through the Abu Dhabi Festival Composers’ Platform initiative, presenting them to audiences locally and globally.”
The winners were selected by an international jury comprising Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and Jury President Du Yun; composer Shen Ye; composer and conductor Elmar Lampson; composer Aigerim Seilova; composer and organist Naji Hakim; and producer Robert Townson. The jury recognised the winners for exceptional technical proficiency, sophisticated compositional technique and emotional depth, and highlighted their integration of traditional instruments, melodies and rhythms from diverse musical heritages and styles. Entries were also evaluated on their potential for live performance, specifically the clarity and strength with which they could be interpreted on stage by professional musicians.
Speaking on the competition, Du Yun, composer and President of the Jury, said: “The jury has been deeply impressed by the breadth and vision of the submissions for the inaugural Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition. We witnessed a remarkable tapestry of sound, where distinctive regional sensibilities engage in a sophisticated global musical dialogue. This powerful convergence of cultural depth with universal scope is precisely what we had hoped to discover, and it reaffirms the vital role this new platform plays on the world stage. Selecting from such an exceptional and diverse pool of talent has been both a profound privilege and a deeply inspiring task. We look forward with great anticipation to hearing how the voices celebrated here will help shape the future of music for years to come.”
As the inaugural laureates, the winners receive AED 130,000, a professional recording opportunity, and a world premiere performance with internationally acclaimed partner orchestras at the 23rd edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival in April 2026.
Second place awards of AED 50,000 were presented to Nadim Tarabay in the Orchestra Category for his composition Sinfonietta en Spirale, and Tarek Yamani in the Piano Category for Dabke in C Saba. Third place awards of AED 25,000 were presented to Thomas Kornel in the Orchestra Category for Fear, Rage, Fire, and Bruno Vlahek in the Piano Category for Mirage Toccata.
Both first place compositions will also be professionally recorded as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival Composers’ Platform initiative. Established more than a decade and a half ago, the platform supports artists and music composers from around the world in presenting their work in Abu Dhabi and on the global stage. To date, the platform has produced 36 original compositions and 80 co-commissions, creating high-quality recordings that preserve both traditional and contemporary music.
Through initiatives including ADICC, ADMAF empowers emerging artists, musicians, and creative professionals, while continuing to broaden community engagement in the arts across the UAE and the wider region. The launch of this new platform builds on that vision, championing bold artistic expression and creating a global network of contemporary composers. It also reinforces Abu Dhabi’s commitment to cultivating a thriving cultural ecosystem, contributing to the emirate’s long-term cultural development and its growing position as a global centre for artistic exchange.
For more information on the Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition (ADICC), please visit: https://admaf.org
