Mary Finsterer wins Paul Lowin Prize 2009

With her composition In Praise of Darkness, for orchestra, celesta and harp, Australian composer Mary Finsterer is the recipient of the Paul Lowin Orchestral Prize 2009 ($25,000).

Mary Finsterer’s In Praise of Darkness is inspired by the writings of Jorge Luis Borges, in particular his reflections on his own state of blindness: at a time when he was beginning to receive critical acclaim as a writer and received the prestigious position as Director of the Buenos Aires Library, Jorge Luis Borges was encumbered by almost complete blindness.

The Jury's remarks about Finsterer's In Praise of Darkness “... in this strong, imaginative and original work, we hear a unique voice. The composer uses the orchestra individually and inspirationally, demonstrating a creative use of orchestral colour. The orchestration is subtle, with striking textures and gestures…”

Finsterer's work was premiered by ASKO|Schönberg in April 2009.