Violist sits on money chest

The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, one of Europe’s wealthiest givers of musical prizes, has announced a change of chair.

Composer-administrator Peter Ruzicka is retiring on reaching 75.

His successor is to be the violist Tabea Zimmermann. She won the prize three years ago.

She says: ‘Having received the Music Prize myself, I have experienced how wonderfully this foundation works, how much value is placed on supporting the artists. I received the prize at a time when I am still in the middle of my life and there are now many opportunities to work in committees, to follow my chamber music approach and to create together with others, to exchange ideas and to take others with me. Therefore, it is now an honour and also a great responsibility for me to take over the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

‘The foundation is wonderfully positioned with its targeted support of new music. It is a great merit of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation to support contemporary music in this way, to give artistic natures freedom and to encourage them in their activities. For a foundation to be involved to this extent is unique in the world.’