Chin Unsuk Becomes the First Asian to Win Ernst von Siemens Music Prize

Composer Unsuk Chin Wins 2024 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize

South Korean composer Chin Unsuk has become the first Asian to win the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of classical music.” Previous winners have all been legendary musicians in history, including iconic British modernist Benjamin Britten, conductors Karajan and Abbado, and pianists Maurizio Pollini and Alfred Brendel.

A graduate of Seoul National University’s Department of Composition, Chin Unsuk was a student of contemporary music legend György Ligeti (1923-2006). Chin’s Violin Concerto won the prestigious Gravemeyer Prize for composition, and late last year, the Berliner Philharmoniker released “The Unsuk Chin Edition,” a collection of her music.

“I am delighted to receive such an important award in my second home, Germany, and I am more honored to receive this award than any other I have received before,” said Chin Unsuk, who lives in Berlin and is also the artistic director of the Tongyeong International Music Festival.

—

📧 UoH has a personal assistant program for traveling in Korea, including reservations, rentals, and personal assistants. Feel free to email us at [email protected] for a quote and to find out how to proceed!