The winner of the European Composer Award 2016 is Estonian composer Liisa Hirsch! Her piece “Mechanics of Flying” was performed at Young Euro Classic festival on 31 August in Berlin Konzerthaus by the Symphony Orchestra of the EAMT under the baton of Paul Mägi. The award, determined by an 11-member audience jury, is given in recognition of the festival’s best world premiere.

Liisa Hirsch (1984) studied composition at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre under Toivo Tulev obtaining her BA degree in 2009. She further improved her skills in piano under Ivari Ilja, electronic music under Margo Kõlar and improvisation under Anto Pett. Liisa is currently taking her MA degree in composition at the The Royal Conservatory of The Hague under Peter Adriaansz and Cornelis de Bondt.