Yo-Yo Ma wins $1 million

The 2022 Birgit Nilsson Prize, worth $1 million, has been awarded to the cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

He is the first instrumental musician to receive the annual award.

The citation says: ‘In today’s challenging and ever-evolving world, when classical music is too easily marginalized, Yo-Yo Ma embodies everything that Birgit Nilsson wished for in a fellow-artist when she created this Prize. Through exceptional musicianship, passion and dedication, Yo-Yo Ma’s commitment to music helps us to imagine and build a stronger society and better future. His support and engagement continuously inspires new generations of musicians as they embark on their own musical lives. Yo-Yo Ma has contributed an important chapter to music history and we are delighted to welcome him to Sweden this Autumn to receive the Birgit Nilsson Prize.’­
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Yo-Yo Ma said: ‘I wish I could have met Birgit Nilsson in person. Yet, she is alive for me through the recordings of her legendary voice and the legacy of her great generosity, her sense of humor, and a lifetime grounded in cultural values. It is a great privilege to receive this honor, and to play a small part in the legacy of one of our great musical role models, an artist whose attention was directed outward, toward young people and music’s role in creating a better world.’
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­All shall have prizes? No just the same famous few.

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Picture: Yo-Yo playing outside the Russian Embassy in DC this March.­
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