Laureate
Joel Pae
USA
Joel Pae is an American composer, pianist and violinist based in South Korea. A junior at Korea International School, he studies classical music and composition alongside his academic coursework. His interest in Romantic and early-modern orchestral and chamber music informs his compositions, which seek to combine traditional tonality with personal narratives and innovative structures.
His works include the piano sextet Nihilestro e il Fulmine, a Triple Concerto and the symphonic poem Zeitvogel. He is currently orchestrating a Bortkiewicz Prelude and developing a piano concerto inspired by Henselt and Liszt. His music has received recognition at international competitions and his school’s composition festival.
Latest Recognition
- 1st Prize with Special Mention
COMPOSITION
Classical Music Stars — 3/2026
Awards & Recognitions
A timeline of recognition
Classical Music Stars — 3/2026
COMPOSITION
Piece Title: Symphonic Poem No. 1 in B Minor - "Zeitvogel"
Composer: Joel Pae
- 1st Prize with Special Mention
Ravel Award International Music Competition — 2/2026
COMPOSITION · F
Symphonic Poem in B Minor - "Zeitvogel"
- Platinum Prize
Brahms International Online Music Competition — 3/2026
COMPOSITION
1. Symphonic Poem No. 1 in B Minor - "Zeitvogel"
Zeitvogel is a symphonic poem exploring conflict and time within forces beyond humanity's control. Through three connected sections, the work moves from a struggle against nature, to the turbulence of inner emotion, and finally to a metaphysical confrontation with fate and the universe. Recurring distortion of themes, chromatic ascents, osinatos, and large orchestral climaxes create a cyclical sense of resolution with a lush, grandiose background, while the "Bird of Hours" (Zeitvogel) symbolizes the duality of time itself: transformation from chaos to concordance with differing emotional moods juxtaposed with a constant sense of movement with the unchanging 9/16 time signature.
- Gold Award
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