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The Léonie Sonning Music Prize of DKK 600,000 is awarded
to the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho. During the last quarter of a century, her works have confirmed time and again that she is one of the most outstanding composers of our time. A rare contemporary composer whose music is performed by, for example, the New York Philharmonic, at the Salzburg festival and by the world's greatest soloists.
The Léonie Sonning Music Prize is recognized as Denmark 's highest
musical honor. It is given annually to an international composer or musician. First awarded in 1959 to composer Igor Stravinsky. Laureates are now selected by the directors of The Léonie Sonning Music Foundation, which was founded in 1965.
Kaija Saariaho is the 11th composer who is awarded the Léonie Sonning Music Prize – and the second female composer. Previous laureate composers include Stravinskij, Lutoslawski, Britten, Sjostakovitj, Messiaen, Boulez, Ligeti, Nørgård, Gubaidulina, Kurtág and Arvo Pärt.
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