Quebec's Denis Gougeon wins composition prize in Shanghai

Composer Denis Gougeon was awarded first prize at the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival in Shanghai on Monday.

A Quebecer who has written for the Canadian Opera Company, Radio-Canada and for several Quebec theatre companies, Gougeon competed with seven other Quebec composers to create a five-minute work.

His piece, Toy #1/ Praeludium Mechanics for two bamboo flues and orchestra, was performed at the Grand Theatre with the Shanghai Symphony.

He wins a cash prize and also will be invited to develop Toy #1 into a 12-minute piece to compete internationally next year.

Other winners announced Monday:

• 2nd: Sean Pepperall with Happy Green Tea-Quake's Toll-Resilience.
• 3rd:  Spanish-born José Evangelista, now based in Montreal, with O Qin.

The competition is organized by the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec, which fosters creation of new music.