Kirill Petrenko has donated the full DKK 1 million (€134,000) award accompanying the 2026 Léonie Sonning Music Prize to organisations supporting Ukraine, following a gala ceremony at DR Koncerthuset in Copenhagen.
The chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic received Denmark’s highest musical honour from King Frederik X, who praised Petrenko as “an artist of exceptional integrity” whose work is characterised by “rare precision, depth, and humility” and an unwavering commitment to the essence of music.
Accepting the prize, Petrenko expressed his gratitude for the distinction before announcing that he would donate the entire award to organisations supporting Ukraine.
“Receiving this Prize is an incredible honour for me and a meaningful confirmation of the work I have devoted my life to,” he said.
Petrenko then explained the reasons behind his decision.
“As a Russian artist, it is completely shocking for me. People in Ukraine are still trying to live their lives while protecting and defending their sovereignty and their future. I made a decision to donate the money to organisations supporting Ukraine, particularly helping children who have lost their families during the war, and to initiatives restoring the cultural heritage destroyed by the war.”
The award ceremony took place during a gala concert with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra (DR Symfoniorkestret) under Petrenko’s direction. The programme featured Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides Overture, Schumann’s Piano Concerto with pianist Polina Osetinskaya as soloist, and Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra.
Established in 1959, the Léonie Sonning Music Prize is widely regarded as Denmark’s most prestigious music award. Previous recipients include Igor Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein, Miles Davis, Daniel Barenboim, Cecilia Bartoli, Kaija Saariaho, Simon Rattle and the Danish String Quartet.
Petrenko, who has served as chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic since 2019, was announced as the 2026 laureate in 2025. The Copenhagen concert marked his second appearance in Denmark.
In a statement following the ceremony, the Léonie Sonning Music Foundation congratulated Petrenko on receiving the award and thanked him for what it described as his generosity in choosing to donate the prize money to organisations supporting Ukraine.
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