The Sibelius Prize of 100.000 euros to Magnus Lindberg

The Wihuri Sibelius Prize has been awarded to Magnus Lindberg. The grant of 100.000 euros belongs to the world's top music prizes, and is addressed to "internationally established prominent composers". Lindberg is the 14th composer to receive the prize after Jean Sibelius, awarded in 1953. The ceremony took place on October 9 in Helsinki.

The 50-year history of the Sibelius Prize winners include such great names as Paul Hindemith, Igor Stravinsky, Olivier Messiaen, Witold Lutoslawski and György Ligeti. The list of Finnish awarded is impressive, too: in addition to Sibelius, Erik Bergman, Usko Meriläinen, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Joonas Kokkonen and Aulis Sallinen have been acknowledged.

"Being part of such a renowned group, is a great honor", told Magnus Lindberg to the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper.

The Wihuri International Prize Fund was established in 1953. By granting international awards, the goal of the fund is to advance and promote the intellectual and economical development of the humankind.


Recipients of the Wihuri Sibelius Prize:

Jean Sibelius 1953
Paul Hindemith 1955
Dmitri Shostakovich 1958
Igor Stravinsky 1963
Benjamin Britten, Erik Bergman, Usko Meriläinen and Einojuhani Rautavaara 1965
Olivier Messiaen 1971
Wiltold Lutoslawski and Joonas Kokkonen 1973
Krzysztof Penderecki and Aulis Sallinen 1983
György Ligeti 2000
Magnus Lindberg 2003

Johanan Järventaus/Fimic
10 October, 2003