What goes round: Steven Isserlis wins 25 grand

Press Release, April 4, 2017

Steven Isserlis is the Recipient of the 2017  »Glashütte Original MusicFestivalAward«

Music is essential for childhood development – thus the conviction of the British cellist Steven Isserlis. In addition to his performances as a celebrated concert soloist with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors, composing and playing for children are important focal points of his work. Furthermore, he has published three books for children recounting the lives of famous composers in an anecdotal and informative manner, and he gives master classes all over the world. Doubtlessly, this makes Steven Isserlis one of the »torch-bearers« of the international classical music scene. In recognition of his special achievements in music education and his support for young professional musicians, he will receive the 2017  »Glashütte Original MusicFestivalAward« during the 40^th Dresden Music Festival. The award will be presented to Isserlis on May 23, 2017 as part of his concert with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which performs under Vladimir Jurowski’s baton at Dresden’s Kulturpalast.

»Steven Isserlis is not only one of the most interesting and expressive cellists of our times, he is also a musician who has gotten involved in multiple creative ways in the events of our times: he writes children’s books, comments philosophically on music and society, and keeps presenting new works. I am delighted that for the first time in the award’s history, a fellow cellist will be honored with the ›Glashütte Original MusicFestivalAward‹,« says Jan Vogler, Intendant of the Dresden Music Festival.

Bearing a cash value of 25,000 Euros, the »Glashütte Original MusicFestivalAward« will be donated by the watchmaking company Glashütte Original for the 14^th time in 2017 and presented in ccoperation with the Dresden Music Festival. As in past years, the award constructed by two students at the company’s own watchmaking school »Alfred Helwig«. Previous prize winners include such artist personalities as Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic, Hélène Grimaud, Hilary Hahn, the fado singer Mariza and Andris Nelsons.