Ernst von Siemens Music Prize

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The international Ernst von Siemens Music Prize (German: Ernst von Siemens Musikpreis) is an annual music prize given by the Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste (Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts) on behalf of the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung (Ernst von Siemens Foundation for Music), established in 1972. The foundation was established by Ernst von Siemens (1903-1990). The prize honors a composer, performer, or musicologist who has made distinguished contribution to the world of music. In addition to the main prize, other prizes are also given. The total prize money given is currently 2.3 million euros, with the winner of the main prize receiving €200,000 (before 2007, €150,000). The prize is sometimes known as the Nobel Prize of music.^[1]

In 2006, the prize was given on May 12 in Vienna to the pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim. The prize was announced by Pierre Boulez, who had himself won the award earlier. In 2007 the award was given to Brian Ferneyhough, who was given it on May 3 in the Kammerspiele Theater in Munich. The 2008 ceremony is scheduled for April 24.

Smaller awards to music festivals, concerts, musical institutions, and young musicians make up the balance of the prize money. Among these is the prize for young composers for one of their works, known as the "Composers Prize."