20.04.2026
LHV has supported Estonian Music Days for ten years and considers it important to contribute to the development of Estonian music composition and its wider reach. As part of this year’s festival, the LHV new composition award and innovation prize were once again awarded, and the competition for young composers was supported.
This year, the LHV new composition award went to composer Marianna Liik for the work ‘Lahtirullumine’, and the LHV innovation prize was awarded to Liisa Hõbepappel for the chamber opera ‘Põrmuline’. The awards were presented at the Estonian Music Days ERSO concert held on 17 April at the Estonia Concert Hall. In addition, LHV also supports the young composers’ competition, the final concert of which will take place on 18 April at the Heino Eller Music School.
According to Erki Kilu, Chairman of the Management Board of LHV bank, it is important to support both already mature works as well as new ideas and the next generation. “What matters is impactful work, bold new ideas, and the emergence of new talent. It is precisely such a combination that keeps the field vibrant,” said Kilu.
According to Helena Tulve, the chair of the competition jury and a composer, this year’s competition stood out for its high standard and intense competition. “It’s a pleasure that the competition was so intense, which forced the judges to really delve into the music and discuss it in depth.” “Marianna Liik’s ‘Lahtirullumine’ convincingly demonstrated both the artistic quality of the work and the composer’s development path,” said Tulve, adding that the innovation award also highlighted collaborative creative process with Liisa Hõbepappel.
This year, 67 works by 43 composers were submitted to the competition. The works were judged by a jury consisting of Helena Tulve, Miina Pärn, Kärt Ruubel, Rasmus Puur and Ülo Krigul.
The LHV new composition award is 8,000 euros, accompanied by a trophy created by glass artist Mare Saare, and the innovation prize is 2,000 euros.
This year’s Estonian Music Days will take place from 11-19 April in Tallinn, Tartu and Laulasmaa.
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