ESTA Young Composer Competition 2012

Adnan won the intermediate category in the European Strings Teachers Association’s competition. He was selected for the final over many candidates who had entered from the Purcell School of Music and other specialist, European musical institutions.

Their brief had been to write a short ensemble work for groups of one instrumental type and on a subject related to this year’s London Olympics. The short-listed works, which were of a very high standard of musical imagination and technical polish, were work-shopped during the day and performed by members of the Purcell School in an early evening concert. — European Music Council

In the final, composers were judged on their ability to rehearse their respective pieces and had to write a short string quartet in just half an hour.

Adnan has also been appointed co-principal double bass with the NYO, just a year after joining the orchestra.