Upbeat: More than a plug

THE high-powered world of international electronic music has just honoured British-based composers with five of the 15 awards at the 1993 Prix Ars Electronica in Linz. They include the established names of Javier Alvarez and Jonty Harrison, and rising figures: Andrew Lewis, Michael Rosas-Cobian and Adrian Moore. Arcane the electro-acoustic disciplines may still appear on these islands, but musicians are regularly making their mark on the Continent. Last year's equally prestigious Bourges competition also honoured five composers working in Britain, with Alvarez and Harrison again among them. The London-based Sonic Arts Network, fighting a sometimes lonely corner for its members, can claim a share of the kudos, for it premiered Alvarez's winning piece last year and has Lewis's down for a South Bank promotion in December.