The International Musical Composition Award entitled to Goffredo Petrassi was created to give an homage to the Maestro by promoting the New Music he loved worldwide.

The contest aims to encourage young composers to become aware of the heritage and tradition of a civilization whose values are incomparably high.
A new and yet not crystallized tradition that can help young composers in accepting new challenges and great music, far from the radio and television standards and the mere mass culture.

The film composition test, compulsory for all participants, aims to create a new and positive approach with our time, allowing composers to express their own style and creativity.

The contest intends to provide a perhaps limited but deeply felt contribution to the freedom of young composers, to the fundamental quality of their work and to the acknowledged dignity of their role in the contemporary society.

In 2005 – I Edition of the Petrassi Award, the first prize was not awarded. Instead were awarded the special mentions for Luca Bossin, Riccardo Carlotto and Daniele Ferretti.

In 2007 – II Edition of the Petrassi Award, the first prize was not awarded. Instead were awarded the special mentions for Fabio Acri and Enrica Sciandrone.

In 2009 – III Edition of the Petrassi Award, for the first time since the contested was launched in 2005, the first prize was finally awarded, Enrica Sciandroni was the absolute winner of the contest for both tests (Free composition and composition applied to a short film). There were also awarded the special mentions to Matteo Riparbelli (Free Music Composition) and Giovanni Cernicchiaro (Applied Composition).

Since its First Edition, the Contest “Goffredo Petrassi” it’s being carried out thanks to contribution of the Muncipality of Latina and to the valuable collaboration of the Conservatory of Music of Latina “Ottorino Respighi” which supports strongly the initiative.

In December 2011, will take place the final ceremony for the IV Edition of the Award