Renowned British conductor Sir Simon Rattle has been awarded the prestigious Ernst von Siemens Music Prize for 2025. The announcement coincides with a significant milestone in Rattle’s life, as he celebrates his 70th birthday this Sunday. Often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Music,” the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize honours individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the music world. Rattle’s illustrious career, marked by groundbreaking performances and visionary leadership with significant orchestras, makes him a fitting recipient of this accolade.
In a statement, the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation praised Rattle’s enduring impact on the global music landscape. The foundation highlighted his commitment to artistic excellence and his ability to inspire musicians and audiences. Rattle, who has held prominent positions with the Berlin Philharmonic, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra, expressed his gratitude for the honour, reflecting on the profound joy and responsibility that music has brought to his life.
In addition to awarding the main prize of 250,000 euros, the foundation has recognized three emerging composers with Composer Prizes, each valued at 35,000 euros: Ashkan Behzadi, Bastien David, and Kristine Tjøgersen.
The Ernst von Siemens Music Prize and the Composer Prizes will be presented on May 17, 2025, in the Herkules Hall of the Munich Residence. The British-Jamaican opera singer Sir Willard White will deliver the laudatory address for Sir Simon Rattle. Members of the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks will perform Arnold Schoenberg’s Chamber Symphony No.1, conducted by the Prize winner himself. The Riot Ensemble, which received the first Ensemble Prize in 2020, will present works by the Composer Prize winners, who will also be introduced in short film portraits by Johannes List.
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