Grammy and Pulitzer award winning composer, Musical America Composer of the Year, Kevin Puts received the much coveted 1573 Award for Best Composer in Shanghai on September 17th. The award is sponsored by Luzhoulaojiao (literally the ancient cellars in Luzhou of Sichuan province), China’s famed liquor brand and manufacturer.

The award ceremony took place at the Shanghai Symphony Hall. It was succeeded by a portrait concert sponsored by Luzhoulaojiao. Mr Yang Yang, artistic director of Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra and chief conductor of the China National Opera, conducted the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra by performing three of Kevin’s latest orchestral outputs selected by the composer himself: “Virelai” and “Silent Elegy and Concerto for Orchestra,” all receiving their Chinese premieres.

In addition to the concert, Mr Puts received a cash prize carrying RMB 157,300 yuan (approx USD 20,000), a reminder of Luzhoulaojiao’s flagship product Guojiao 1573. This potentially makes 1573 the only award recognizing international composers bestowed by China.

Kevin is nominated and selected by a jury of leading composers and musicians in China, chaired by composer Guo Wenjing. Other members included He Wei, CEO & Artistic Director of Tianjin Juilliard, Peng Zhimin, musicologist and former rector of Wuhan Conservatory of Music, Zhang Yi, conductor, Artistic Director of National Ballet of China and Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, and Hao Weiya, composer and dean of the composition department of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

Though the jury cited “reinventing American contemporary music” as sole artistic reason to award Kevin the prize, insiders close to the top management of the liquor brand suggested the selection of an American composer is its effort “betting on warming and stabilizing US-China relations” which could eventually benefit the international portfolio and overseas sale of Chinese liquor, Luzhoulaojiao included.

Puts is the composer of such operas as “The Hours” and “Silent Night.”