Composer Charlie Sdraulig has been named the 2026 recipient of the Continuo Commissioning Circle prize, with a new work to be created for Moirai Ensemble that reimagines historical performance practice through a contemporary lens.

Announced by the Continuo Community, the commission will see Sdraulig draw on gut strings, baroque bows and alternative tunings, combined with close amplification and subtle electronics, to create what he describes as an intimate, tactile listening experience.

The project will incorporate recorded samples from his home studio alongside live performance, aiming to reveal the finest sonic details of early instruments.

Charlie Sdraulig. Photo © Harry Sdraulig

Sdraulig’s work is known for its quiet, highly detailed sound worlds and exploratory approach to performance, including spatial audio and audience-responsive elements. His music has been commissioned and performed internationally, including by ELISION Ensemble, with appearances spanning Europe and the United States, and his writings published in journals such as TEMPO and Perspectives of New Music.

Continuo’s Director of Commissioning, Justin Beere, said the award highlights the strength of emerging composition in Victoria. “Charlie’s proposal captivated the panel with its thoughtful blend of scholarship and imagination,” he said. “By supporting artists like Charlie, we keep chamber music vibrant and invite audiences to be part of its evolution.”

The Continuo Commissioning Circle, now in its fifth year, has previously supported new works by Kym Dillon, Melody Eötvös, Matt Laing and Dominic Flynn.