Concours Musical International de Montréal Announces Newly Commissioned Test-Piece for 2023 Competition

Titled "L’inconnu.e bouleversant.e," the work is by Montreal-based composer Luna Pearl Woolf

Canada's Concours Musical International de Montréal (CMIM) recently announced that the commissioned work for the 2023 edition has been written by the Canadian-American composer Luna Pearl Woolf. The work is for solo violin and is titled "L’inconnu.e bouleversant.e," which can be loosely translated as "An Astonishing Stranger".

The CMIM runs on a three-year rotation, alternating between a focus on the violin, the voice, and the piano. It is one of Canada's most prominent springboards for young musicians and has provided performance opportunities for over 600 competitors from 90 different countries across its twenty-year history.

In 2023, the focus is on the violin — with the competition set to take place between April 22 and May 4. Luna Pearl Woolf will be giving a free pre-concert talk about her compositional approach to the test-piece on Saturday, April 29 at 1:15 PM.

Originally from Western Massachusetts, Canadian-American composer Luna Pearl Woolf graduated summa cum laude from Harvard and completed postgraduate study at Smith College.

She has received commissions from organizations such as Carnegie Hall, Washington National Opera, Minnesota Sinfonia, Salle Bourgie, and ECM+, among others.

In 2021, Woolf's composer-portrait album LUNA PEARL WOOLF: Fire and Flood was nominated for a GRAMMY award. Alongside cellist Matt Haimovitz, Woolf is also the founder of Oxingdale Records, a sub-label of PENTATONE.

The competition's André Bachand Award, which carries a value of $2,500, will be given to the violinist who presents the most convincing performance of Woolf's work.

"The music of “L’inconnu.e bouleversant.e” touches on the enticing stranger's entrance, the conflict between the rivals, and ultimately the love that develops between them," Woolf said of her composition.

"As a solo work, the piece incorporates musical elements from all three characters and emerges as its own statement of flamboyant virtuosity, fiery passion, and intense intimacy."