Nigel Westlake wins University of Melbourne Albert H Maggs Award for Composition
The University of Melbourne last week decided the 2020 winner of the Albert H Maggs Composition Award as Nigel Westlake for his piece, Sacred Sky.
The Albert H Maggs Composition Award is provided as a commission for Australian composers to create a new musical work of a substantial nature. The recipient receives an award of $15,000.
The panel comment reads: “Nigel Westlake’s 3rd string quartet Sacred Sky is a most worthy winner of the 2020 Albert H Maggs Award, administered by the University of Melbourne. Westlake is a first-time winner of this prestigious award, joining a list which includes many celebrated names in the field of Australian composition.
"Sacred Sky is a substantial work with accomplished string quartet writing on every level. The work is not only technically impressive, it is soulful and rewarding to listen to as an artistic experience. The panel was completely convinced by the merit of the work and we look forward to seeing and hearing what Westlake writes in response to the Award’s commission for a new work.”
Listen to Nigel Westlake's String Quartet No 3, Sacred Sky, performed by the Australian String Quartet.