German Music Authors' Award for Henze and Reimann

Two of our composers have been honoured with the receipt of the coveted German Music Authors Award. The German collecting society GEMA awards this prize annually in ten categories "from composers to composers".

Hans Werner Henze (top image) received the award for his lifetime achievement. He was honored by the President of the German Bundestag, Prof. Norbert Lammert, with a notable laudation claiming "Hans Werner Henze proved that we do need opera houses and world premières because the most significant revolutions are driven by art and culture, not by politicians."

Aribert Reimann (image below), among the nominees within the "opera/lied", category was announced the prize winner during the ceremony.

Both composers attended the ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Berlin on 14 April and celebrated their awards in the company of numerous composers, artists and publishers.

Among other prize winners: York Höller, Unheilig, Reinhard Mey, Ich + Ich and German heavy-metal band Scorpions.

• Hans Werner Henze - profile
• Aribert Reimann - profile
• www.musikautorenpreis.de