How big is the Grand Music Prize? / Article / LSM.lv

The ABC of culture

LTV “Kultūrdevas” ABC explains the significant history and significance of Latvian cultural facts.

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The Grand Music Prize is presented in eight categories, although the number of categories required within the industry is still under discussion. Some want fewer categories, but some want more. In 2020, the Grand Music Prize, proving that it is not immune to the events of the outside world, introduced a new category – “For creative, bold and innovative artistic activity in the Covid-19 crisis”. The prize will be awarded to one of the brave ones who was ready to perform in an empty hall or studio. However, compared to the previous year, this year the category “Performance of the Year” has disappeared from the nominations.

The winner of the Grand Music Prize is determined by a jury of seven people. These music connoisseurs and gourmets attend or watch concerts online throughout the year and convene meetings once a month to collectively determine who is worthy of the Grand Music Prize nomination. The jury will vote for the winners of each nomination only on the day of the award ceremony. Each laureate receives a cash prize and a silver statuette created by the artist Armands Jēkabsons – a stylized female figure.

The woman’s slim lines and outlines of fragments symbolize string instruments, but the bent head – reverence for the laureate’s contribution to Latvian music and ballet.

Over the years, musicians Elīna Garanča, Baiba Skride, Vestards Šimkus, Pēteris Vasks, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Māris Sirmais and the choir “Kamēr …” and the State Academic Choir “Latvija”, Ints Dālderis, Inga Kalna, Egils have received the Grand Music Award. Siliņš, Iveta Apkalna, Aleksandrs Antonenko, Andris Nelsons and many others. It is said that the leader of the State Academic Choir “Latvija”, conductor Māris Sirmais, has received the Grand Music Prize the most (five times).

The Grand Music Award for Lifetime Achievement has already been announced will be served this year composer Imants Kalniņš and conductor Aleksandrs Viļumanis. As every year, the award will be broadcast live on Latvian Radio 3 “Klasika”, Latvian Television and the public media portal LSM.lv. The grand music award ceremony is organized by “Latvijas Koncerti” with the support of the Latvian Ministry of Culture. Although this time the ceremony will take place without the presence of spectators, the traditions started in previous years will be continued, inviting the nominees of this year’s award – composer Raimonds Pauls, organist Iveta Apkalns, violinist Kristīne Balanas and others.

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