Recompose - Alev Lenz - ‘3' - Winner Announce:

Firstly we would like to say a big thank you to all of the composers who took part in the first ever Recompose competition. It’s been such a joy to listen to Alev’s songs in so many new contexts that span so many genres.

Amongst over one hundred incredible submissions the following three pieces stood out for their sophisticated, distinct and confident reimagining of the original song.

Each piece is a coherent world within which the composers' creative thought was fully realised and composed from start to finish.

Each composer has clearly stated their style and a point of view. The song was understood and the composers found an authentic answer to it.

WINNER: Nyokabi Kariuki - Song: Fishermen

Nyokabi’s work is unforgettable. It is cold and wet. It represents water. Maybe the threat of the fishermen or the knowledge of the ocean creatures? It is not safe, it is a unique voice and sets the stage for a new interpretation of the music; a new medium it could live in, through Nyokabi, a new room she has opened and welcomes us all into. Dive in at the deep end, learn to swim again.

RUNNER-UP: Amy Langley - Song: Cigarettes & Blow

Amy’s cello goes straight to the heart, it throws you into the depths of her sensuality. It is so hard to essentially re-play a song and still make it your own. Where she adds notes, harmonises, adds piano and where she doesn't, where it swells and where it goes silent is desperately delicate - supported by her incredible playing and profound respect towards the original song.

RUNNER-UP: Jordan Summers - Song: It’s Been a While

Effortlessly Jordan weaves in new instrumental elements into his recomposition, he imagines and builds worlds within a song that was originally just a vocal melody. The sonic world he has created makes you want to listen to the track over and over again. It is enchanting and enveloping.

Recompose - Alev Lenz - ‘3' - Honourable Mentions:

We have also included a list of composers here whose submissions we felt deserved an honourable mention!

Elise Plans 

Jack Bennett 

Antar Turgay 

Helen Hong

Ginevra Nervi

Dennis Klampanis 

Block Type 

Brueder Selke

Leah Ofman 

Riccardo Aldera

Thank you all once again for making the first Recompose competition so special.

We'd also like to say a special thanks to Martin Phipps for taking the time to judge the submissions with us.

Recompose - Alev Lenz - ‘3':

To mark the 1 year anniversary of Alev Lenz’s album ‘3’ we are launching a brand new SA competition series - Recompose.

We are asking you, the SA community, to submit your own re-imagining of one of Alev Lenz’s songs from ‘3’ - with the help of Alev’s sheet music which she has made freely available!

A panel of judges - Martin Phipps (Peaky Blinders, The Crown), Alev Lenz & SA Recordings will select a winner and two runners up.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for creative, imaginative interpretations of one of Alev’s songs - not simply a cover version.

We encourage you to explore new ways of presenting Alev’s songs through whichever musical medium works for you.

Although the original songs were written for voice, we encourage you to reimagine a ‘3’ song in whatever way you choose - with or without voice.

Here are some ideas from Alev to get you inspired -

• Orchestrations of vocal work.
• Translation of voice into instruments, for example, Cello or Duduk, Zurna or Shehnai.
• Chorally expanding the work … think The Crown!
• Rhythmic compositions.
• Piano reimaginings.

A message from Alev Lenz

Being in lockdown and with most of my shows cancelled I was upset that I couldn’t get this album on stage as I intended. However, it helped me to remember that when I wrote the album in its' very bare, a cappella way, I wanted it to be a modern folk tale - songs you would sing without me, songs that would travel for their meaning and not necessarily for the performer. With this in mind, I decided to make the sheet music freely available online so that ‘3' can travel on its' own.

How do I enter? - COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.

• Head to Alev’s website here to access the sheet music.
• Once you have signed up for the sheet music via Alev’s site, you will receive an email from Alev with a download link to the sheet music.
• Download the sheet music and recompose! (Or alternatively feel free to recompose without needing to use the sheet music.)
• Upload your track to Soundcloud and submit your entry on the form at the bottom of this dedicated Recompose page.

What’s the prize?

A bespoke animation created in collaboration with Alev Lenz and animator Pre-Human, to accompany your composition and for your own promotional use.

All of the existing SA sample libraries PLUS all of the 2021 SA library releases.

An exclusive SA T-Shirt.

A signed ‘3’ vinyl from Alev.

The two runners up will receive a signed ‘3’ vinyl and an SA T-Shirt.

Who are the judges?

Martin Phipps (Film & TV Composer - Peaky Blinders, The Crown)

The SA Recordings team

Alev Lenz

What are the rules?

Songs should be no longer than 4 minutes max.

The songs to choose from are The Chair, Cigarettes & Blow, Laura, The Runner, Fishermen, Aimee Mann and It’s Been a While.

Songs can be with or without vocals.

Entries must be submitted via the form on this page.

You do not need to use SA or Spitfire Audio libraries to write your piece.

You can choose any instruments you like.

One song entry per person.

Entries must be submitted via the form on this page by 26th October 11.59PM GMT.

Winner and runners up will be announced on November 4th.

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