Starting in 2021, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra has launched an annual stipend for young, talented composers. The first stipend has been awarded to Dutch-Israeli Karmit Fadael. 

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 performance of newly composed music and the development of talent are among the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra's core tasks. Now, more than ever, it is important to support Dutch composers with commissions. With the 'Stipendium Radio Philharmonic Orchestra', we support young talent and give them the opportunity to work with a professional orchestra for a year.

This stipend 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. It consists of composing four new works, one of which will be premiered at the New Year's reception of the municipality of Hilversum. The other compositions will be premiered by the popular television programme Podium Witteman throughout the year, performed by members of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Podium Witteman's adventurous in-house ensemble, Fuse.

Karmit Fadael
The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra Stipend for 2021 has been awarded to Dutch-Israeli Karmit Fadael. She studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Calliope Tsoupaki, Guus Janssen and Martijn Padding. She graduated in 2019 and has since composed for the Residentie Orkest, November Music and Doelen Ensemble, among others. "As a person I am emotional, opinionated, rational but also calm. You can recognize these traits in my music. In my work I am always looking for new sound combinations and try to appeal to both the audience and the musicians."

More information about Karmit and her music can be found here.