Post by : Badri Ariffin

Abu Dhabi, UAE – January 2026:

The Abu Dhabi Festival, a key initiative of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), proudly announces the winners of the first Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition (ADICC), marking a significant milestone as the region's first international music composition event.

Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the competition epitomizes Abu Dhabi’s blossoming identity as a hub for music and innovation.

Daniele Gasparini secured first place in the Orchestra Category with his piece En el Aire, while Andrey Zubets triumphed in the Piano Category with Mirror Preludes. Both will unveil their compositions during the 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival in April 2026, with live streams available globally.

Receiving 165 entries from 47 nations, the competition showcases rich international engagement and a myriad of musical perspectives. Launched in May 2025, ADICC aligns with Abu Dhabi's designation as a UNESCO City of Music, fostering contemporary composition and support for emerging talents.

Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, the visionary behind ADMAF and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, emphasized the competition’s role in enhancing the city's cultural landscape, providing a stage for budding composers and fostering artistic growth that connects new talent with worldwide audiences.

An esteemed jury, led by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Du Yun and comprising talented musicians like Shen Ye and Naji Hakim, recognized the winners for their profound emotional resonance and technical prowess, as well as for melding various cultural musical traditions. All compositions were evaluated for potential live performance by skilled musicians.

Gasparini and Zubets, as first-place laureates, will each receive AED 130,000, a professional recording opportunity, and an inaugural performance at the Abu Dhabi Festival 2026. Their works will be featured under the Abu Dhabi Festival Composers’ Platform, which has been instrumental in promoting global composers for over 15 years, resulting in numerous original works and collaborations.

Second place honors of AED 50,000 went to Nadim Tarabay for Sinfonietta en Spirale (Orchestra Category) and Tarek Yamani for Dabke in C Saba (Piano Category). Meanwhile, third place winners included Thomas Kornel for Fear, Rage, Fire (Orchestra Category) and Bruno Vlahek for Mirage Toccata (Piano Category), who were awarded AED 25,000 each.

With initiatives like ADICC, ADMAF remains dedicated to advancing emerging artists, fostering cultural exchanges, and solidifying Abu Dhabi's status as a premier global center for music, arts, and excellence in creativity.