Composer George Benjamin has been awarded the 2023 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize.

The prize is worth €250,000 and celebrates the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation’s 50th anniversary.

The foundation began 50 years ago with its first prizewinner being Benjamin Britten. Since then, the foundation has accompanied, supported, and, to a certain extent, shaped musical life.

Benjamin is one of the most important composers of his generation who has written such works as “Ringed by the Flat Horizon,” “At First Light” and the opera “Written on Skin.” His works have been performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, the Composer Festival at Konzerthaus Stockholm, and Radio France’s Festival Présences.

Benjamin joins a prestigious list of winners including Olivier Messiaen, Pierre Boulez, Herbert von Karajan, Helmut Lachenmann, Wolfgang Rihm, Mariss Jansons, and Tabea Zimmermann.