American conductor Kent Nagano has been awarded the Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

In a statement, Hamburg’s Senator for Culture Carsten Brosda said “Kent Nagano stands for classical music at the highest level and conveys musical enthusiasm far into society.”

Brosda also praised Nagano for his many music education initiatives and the choice of unusual places where he played with the Philharmonic State Orchestra, such as the Planetarium, the Michel, or the Rathausmarkt.

Nagano’s 96-year-old mother and his siblings were present for the ceremony and the conductor thanked his mother for encouraging his artistic development. Nagano has been the Artistic Director of the Hamburg State Opera since 2015.