Mendelssohn Prize for Angela Merkel and Jörg Widmann

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and musician and composer Jörg Widmann will be awarded this year’s International Mendelssohn Prize. This was announced by the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Foundation in Leipzig. 

The jury honored Merkel in the “Europe” category for her contributions to the unification and integration of Europe and its cohesion as a community of peace and shared values. Clarinetist, conductor, and composer Widmann is receiving the prize in the “Music” category for his versatility and outstanding artistic achievements.

Opening concert on November 1

With this non-monetary award, the foundation honors individuals whose work, according to the foundation, embodies the spirit of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847). The composer served as Kapellmeister at the Leipzig Gewandhaus and founded Germany’s first conservatory there. The awards will be presented on November 1 during the opening concert of the Mendelssohn Festival at the Leipzig Gewandhaus.

Past recipients include, among others, former Federal Presidents Richard von Weizsäcker and Hans-Dietrich Genscher, conductor Kurt Masur, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, actress Iris Berben, and former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.