Inaugural ADICC Winners Unveiled by Abu Dhabi Festival

Abu Dhabi, UAE – January 2026:

The Abu Dhabi Festival, a flagship initiative of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), has revealed the winners of the inaugural Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition (ADICC), marking the first international music composition competition in the Middle East.

Spearheaded under the honorary founding patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and sponsored by Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, this competition underscores Abu Dhabi's burgeoning status as a global hub for music and creative expression.

Daniele Gasparini clinched first place in the Orchestra Category with his work En el Aire, while Andrey Zubets topped the Piano Category with his piece Mirror Preludes. As laureates of ADICC, both composers are set to debut their winning compositions at the 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival in April 2026, with performances to be broadcasted worldwide.

The competition garnered 165 entries from 47 nations, showcasing a rich array of international talent and musical diversity. Launched in May 2025, ADICC aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision as a UNESCO-designated City of Music, fostering innovation, contemporary composition, and nurturing emerging talents across the globe.

Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, the visionary behind ADMAF and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, emphasized the competition's role in reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a focal point for music and creative exchange. She expressed that ADICC serves as a vital platform for young composers, promoting artistic ingenuity and linking new musical voices with audiences worldwide.

The selection of winners was conducted by an esteemed international jury chaired by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Du Yun, along with fellow composers Shen Ye, Elmar Lampson, Aigerim Seilova, Naji Hakim, and producer Robert Townson. The jury commended the winning pieces for their technical prowess, emotional resonance, and eclectic fusion of musical traditions from various cultures. Submissions were also evaluated based on their live performance potential by professional musicians.

As champions, Gasparini and Zubets will each receive AED 130,000, a chance for professional recordings, and a world premiere during Abu Dhabi Festival 2026. Their works will also be recorded under the Abu Dhabi Festival Composers’ Platform, an initiative supporting global composers for over 15 years, having already produced 36 original works and 80 co-commissions.

Second place honors of AED 50,000 were awarded to Nadim Tarabay for Sinfonietta en Spirale (Orchestra Category) and Tarek Yamani for Dabke in C Saba (Piano Category).
Third place prizes of AED 25,000 went to Thomas Kornel for Fear, Rage, Fire (Orchestra Category) and Bruno Vlahek for Mirage Toccata (Piano Category).

Through events such as the ADICC, ADMAF is dedicated to elevating emerging artists, fostering cultural interaction, and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s stature as a preeminent global center for music, arts, and creative excellence.