Ernst von Siemens Music Prize
The Ernst von Siemens Music Prize is awarded annually by the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts on behalf of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, which was established in 1972 to promote contemporary music. In addition to the main prize, the foundation awards composer prizes and grant-in-aid projects to support music festivals, concerts, and young musicians. The main prize carries an endowment of €250,000, making it one of the most prestigious and high-value music awards in the world, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of music". Ceremonies are held in Munich each year, and laureates include composers, performers, or musicologists selected by a jury based on their outstanding contributions. The prize recognizes the overall achievements of recipients in composition, performance, scholarship, or education.
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Laureates
1974
First awarded
Announcement
Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste and Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation
Presented by
Awards by year
Personalities whose compositions, interpretations, writings, or teaching served music and promoted the love of music
History
The music foundation was established by industrialist Ernst von Siemens in 1972 and endowed to promote contemporary classical music. The first main prize was awarded in 1974 to British composer Benjamin Britten. Since then, the award has honored leading figures in composition, performance, and musicology from around the world. The main prize carries an endowment of €250,000 and is considered among the most prestigious awards in music. In addition to the main prize, the foundation introduced composer prizes and grant-in-aid projects to support emerging composers and music initiatives.
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