Ernst von Siemens Music Prize


The international Ernst von Siemens Music Prize is an annual music prize given by the Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste on behalf of the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung, established in 1972. The foundation was established by Ernst von Siemens and promotes contemporary music. The prize honors a composer, performer, or musicologist who has made a distinguished contribution to the world of music. In addition to the main prize, other prizes are also given. The total prize money given is currently 3.5 million euros, with the winner of the main prize receiving €250,000. The prize is sometimes known as "the Nobel Prize of music".
The foundation has been accused of gender bias, having awarded the main prize three times to a woman in 45 years. The jury has been also accused in 2018 of giving American minimalist composers no chance at all.
Smaller awards are called "Förderpreis". "Komponisten-Förderpreise" are given to young composers for one of their works. "Förderprojekte" support music festivals, concerts, musical institutions, and young musicians.

Main prize winners

Winners of the main prize were:
Winners of the Composers' Prize were: