Villa Massimo Rome Prize Winners | Composition
July 24–26, 2026
Villa Massimo visits Weimar
The German Academy in Rome and the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar present
the Rome Prize winners in the field of music (composition)
of the German Academy in Rome Villa Massimo for the years 2024/25 and 2025/26
with a master class in composition
Malika Kishino
Fabien Lévy
Sina Fani Sani
Hans Thomalla
Over the course of three days, participants will have the opportunity to engage in intensive exchange with the four guest professors and discuss their submitted works. Participants will receive instruction from the various guest professors.
It is planned that all accepted works will be premiered publicly in three different concerts at the end of the course:
- Category 1 – Concert with the ensemble via nova (flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, accordion, also in partial instrumentation, no electronics)
- Category 2 – Concert with the Duo con:trust (accordion duo, no electronics)
- Category 3 – Electronic music concert with the Weimar Studio for Electroacoustic Music (SeaM)
Application
Please send us the following three documents via the portal by February 4, 2026:
- An existing work
There are no specifications regarding the duration, instrumentation, or year of composition of this work. However, preference will be given to chamber music pieces for categories 1 or 2 or pieces with electronics for category 3 (electronic music). - Instrumentation preferences
When applying, please indicate for which instrumentation (category 1, 2, or 3) you would like to compose a new work of no more than 8 minutes in length. - Your artistic CV
Regarding point 2) Please let us know two possible instrumentation options in order of preference (the instrumentations may belong to the same category).
1st choice Category 1, 2, or 3
If choosing Category 1, please specify the partial instrumentation
2nd choice Category 1, 2, or 3
If choosing category 1, the partial instrumentation
For category 1 with the ensemblevia nova (flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, and accordion), it is possible and even recommended to choose an instrumentation that includes only part of the quintet, i.e., two to five instruments. Solo compositions and electronics are not possible.
For the concert in category 3 with electronic music, the means are deliberately left open. Both fixed media works (from 1 to 12 channels) and live electronic compositions are possible. No external musicians are available in this category, i.e., in the case of live electronics, the composers must perform all parts themselves. SeaM only provides a sound director.
To apply in this category, a short project description of approximately 100 words is required. It should describe the artistic project, the technical means, and the necessary infrastructure (number of speakers, microphones, etc.).
The visiting professors will decide jointly on admission to the course. They will also specify the instrumentation for which a composition should be submitted for the course work.
Overview
- Application deadline for submission of documents: February 4, 2026
- Announcement of admission and determination of the instrumentation for the work to be composed: March 4, 2026
- Deadline for submission of the course work: June 4, 2026
Selected composers in category 3 are requested to contact the Studio for Electroacoustic Music (SeaM) at an early stage.
Course schedule
- July 24, 2026
Concert featuring compositions by the visiting professors
ensemble via nova - July 24–26, 2026
Master classes and rehearsals - July 26, 2026
Concerts with world premieres of the participants' compositions
Course fee
Participation fee: 270 euros, payable after admission
::: Registration :::
The registration portal will be available in January.
Accommodation
Period: July 23 – August 27, 2025 (4 nights)
Leonardo Hotel
- Half-board double room: €148 (plus breakfast)
- Single room: €256 (plus breakfast)
The master class is part of a major presentation by the German Academy Rome Villa Massimo in the city of Weimar
Klassik Stiftung Weimar, University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, Bauhaus University Weimar, ACC Galerie e.V. Weimar, Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora Memorials Foundation, Kunstfest Weimar
