Australian Composer Seán O’Boyle has been awarded the inaugural 2026 Noctavé Prize in Composition for Voyage of Two Worlds, his work for violin and piano.
This international prize attracted composers from 15 countries. Finalists represented Australia, Singapore, Germany, Britain, Albania, Poland, the United States, Argentina and Austria. Voyage of Two Worlds will receive its world premiere at Canopy Hall, MusArt, Singapore, on Friday 11 September 2026, as part of the Noctavé Composers Festival.
“All of the juries really enjoyed your piece. It has memorable themes, is extremely idiomatic for the violin and piano despite its technical demands and has very good form and flow. I am really looking forward to playing it in the concert. Thank you, Seán, for writing such a beautiful piece,” said Ong Lin Wei, violinist and jury member.
“I’m deeply honoured to have been awarded the inaugural Noctavé Prize for my work, Voyage of Two Worlds. Thank you to Noctavé for this wonderful recognition, and congratulations to the exceptional international composers whose work has been celebrated in this inaugural edition,” said Seán O’Boyle.
“I’m delighted that Voyage of Two Worlds will also be featured as part of the Noctavé Composers Festival 2026 in Singapore.”
Image: Seán O’Boyle – photo by Chrissy MacGuire