The Erste Bank Composition Award 2025 goes to Pierluigi Billone

The Italian composer, who has adopted Vienna as his home, will be honoured with the Erste Bank Composition award.

After completing his studies under Helmut Lachenmann and Salvatore Sciarrino, two beacons of 20th and 21st century music, Pierluigi Billone from Lombardy, Italy, found his artistic home in Vienna. Whether for soloists, ensembles, or orchestras, his compositions invariably explore the rich sound potential of instruments and everyday objects. For over 30 years Billone has been creating expansive works of music that probe the limits of the audible between sound, voice, and speech. In his pursuit, the body serves as the nexus of musical experience.

The 36th Erste Bank Composition Award will be presented to Pierluigi Billone in recognition of his exceptionally original body of work and distinctive compositional signature.