Since its foundation in 1952, the „Kranichsteiner Musikpreis“ has been closely linked to the Darmstadt Summer Course. It has been awarded 33 times to a total of 172 laureates so far (to 2010). For many of them the renowned prize has been an important early milestone in their career as musician, ensemble or composer.
The total endowment sum of the „Kranichsteiner Musikpreis“ 2012 was 6,000 EUR, consisting of 3,000 EUR each for interpretation (ensemble or soloist) and for composition. These two prizes are complemented by a number of scholarships for participation in the following Darmstadt Summer Course.
The prize is awarded due to a work / performance which the jury judges to be outstanding in terms of quality and impact. The assessment of the jury follows criteria such as, in the case of composition, originality, coherence, choice of means with regard to the artistic intention, clarity with regard to any intended expression or message, intelligence in notation and form, and knowledge of the used instruments; in the case of performance, fidelity to the score, presence on stage, enthusiasm, efficiency of communication to the audience and (in the case of ensembles) to each other, clarity with regard to the interpretational approach, quality of sound, and mastery of the relevant instrument.
Composers and ensembles / musicians who are participants in the Darmstadt Summer Course are eligible for consideration for the prize. Compositions are considered where a live performance of the work takes place in an officially scheduled concert during the Summer Course. (This includes the performance of a tape / electronic piece to an audience in a concert or installation setting.) Interpreters (soloists and ensembles) are judged on live performance during the Summer Course. The jury looks favourably on cases where collaboration between composers and musicians, such as the preparation and rehearsal for performance, has taken place within the context of the Summer Course.
In 2012, the awarding of the „Kranichsteiner Musikpreis“ and the Scholarships for 2014 was within the discretion of an independent jury consisting of three members (James Clarke, Bernhard Günther, Barbara Maurer). The awards were announced during the final concert of the Darmstadt Summer Course on July 28, 2012. |
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Chronology of all Kranichstein Music Prize winners (German)

Ensemble Dal Niente

Johannes Kreidler
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