All shall have prizes: 400,000 Euros for UK composer
NewsThe British composer Sir George Benjamin has succeeded his compatriot Thomas Ades as winner of the Spanish-based BBVA Frontier of Knowledge award.
The citation said he had made an ‘extraordinary contribution and impact in contemporary creation in the realms of symphonic music, opera and chamber music.’
Benjamin, 64, lives in central London with his filmmaker partner. Aside from his widely-produced operas, he has been composer in residence at the Berlin Philharmonic.
This is what’s wrong with the entire music industry. Continuously awarding those who are already at the top in terms of PR publicity.
How to be a famous musician these days, kids? That’s right, have amazing PR and promotion.
Why is this music so expensive? What does it ‘say’?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeC0_nC58tw
Envy as usual.
Yes, all critical thinking is envy, which is a hughe relief because we no longer have to make any mental effort.
This is shockingly unfair. Why isn’t the money being given to needy causes ?
Who says Sir George is not a needy cause? He worked very hard for the money. Also he represents establishment modern music, as his title indicates, so it shows the appreciation of society for the creative arts in general – a gesture of warm inclusion, in spite of the dissonances. It’s a fate Schönberg longed for all of his life and never got, while he was the originator of everything of which Sir george now reaps the results.
Early last year SD reported GB won the Siemens prize. Also a 6-figure sum !
How about these organisations putting their cash into music education which is dying on its heels these days
Have you personally gone to Spain to check the records that BBVA has not donated to any needy causes at all? They’re a very large bank and financial services institution.
Bravo!
Nothing warms the heart more than the enthusiastic approval of professionals.
Very strange headline considering that Maestro Benjamin has composed works enjoyed by audiences at Royal Opera and the concert halls, a brilliant conductor with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra at the Proms and on tour (many times) in Europe, and was an inspiring conductor and teacher for young musicians in the National Youth Orchestra (who cannot afford generous fees). He’s one of the most deserving recipients of the prize.