Friedrich Cerha receives the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize

Ernst von Siemens Music Prize

Friedrich Cerha is the recipient of the 2012 international Ernst von Siemens Music Prize. The Austrian composer, born in 1926, will receive the award, together with the prize money of EUR 200,000, for his life’s work. Predominantly a composer, as well as conductor, organiser, teacher and musicologist, Cerha achieved international notoriety for his version of the third act of Alban Berg’s Lulu. 

Most recently, the complete performances of his Spiegel cycle - one of the milestones of postwar music history - were powerful reminders of the freshness of his music and its almost physical, aural and emotional attraction. The creative force and inventive curiosity of this master of impressive sonic landscapes are unbridled, as the many world premières of recent years strongly show. 

The Ernst von Siemens Music Prize will be awarded to Cerha by the president of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts at a ceremony at Munich’s Cuvilliés Theatre on 22 June 2012. 

We are especially delighted that a Composer’s Prize will be awarded to fellow UE-composer Luke Bedford.

UE congratulates its two composers!