6–9 October 2016, Malta
The Festival of Modern Composers, launching its first edition in Floriana from October 6 to October 9, 2016, is set to pay tribute to the illustrious Maltese composer Joseph Vella, renowned for his immense contributions to contemporary music. The event will bring together leading musicians and composers to celebrate Vella’s works alongside international talents.
This inaugural festival will showcase a series of concerts, including notable performances of some of Vella's most celebrated pieces such as his Clarinet Quintet Op. 16 and Sinfonietta for Strings Op. 36, alongside other prominent compositions like Concerto Barocco Op. 92. The performances will feature a lineup of highly accomplished musicians, including the MPO String Quartet comprising Marcelline Agius, Klara Nazaj, Nadia Debono, and Ákos Kertész. Other notable soloists include Giuseppe Recchia on clarinet, Kevin Abela on trumpet, Emilia Wisniewska on violin, Ulrike Buhlman on bassoon, Daniel Cauchi on percussion, and pianists Sofia Narmania and Charlene Farrugia. The festival will also feature vocal performances from contralto Claire Massa and soprano Maria Frendo.
In addition to the concerts, the festival will host the Competition of the Festival of Modern Composers, an international event open to professional musicians of any nationality. Musicians will compete across various instruments, with preliminary rounds held on October 6‑7, culminating in the final on October 8. Winners will perform during the festival's Gala Concert and share a total prize pool of €1800, with prizes of €1000, €500, and €300 awarded to the top three performers.
The impressive Robert Samut Hall, located in Floriana, Malta, can trace its origins to the late 19th century, where it was initially built to cater for the needs of the local Methodist community.
Originally known as the Wesleyan Church, the Hall owes its awe‑inspiring façade to architect Thomas Mullet, who oversaw its design and construction between 1881 and 1883, with the church welcoming worshippers for the first time on the 18th of March 1883. Notwithstanding its neo-gothic design, Mullet also ensured that the church would be up-to-date with all the latest technological innovations, which meant that, thanks to his efforts, the building became the first structure in Malta to adopt the use of electricity.
The church fell into disuse by the early 1970s, at which point it was handed over to the government, which secularised it, renovated it, and inaugurated it as the Robert Samut Hall which we can find today on the 4th of April 1975. Nowadays, the Hall has gained fame as a unique cultural centre, with the venue being used to host numerous artistic, musical, and social events on a regular basis.
