Prize for music

Grand Art Prize of the province goes to a woman for the first time

Composer Alexandra Karastoyanova-Hermentin is the first woman to receive the state's major art prize for music.(Bild: privat)

It is the highest award that Salzburg bestows annually, alternating between the visual arts, literature, music and performing arts: in 2024, Alexandra Karastoyanova-Hermentin will receive the province's Grand Art Prize.

The Grand Art Prize is endowed with 20,000 euros and will be awarded for the seventh time this year in the music category. Previous winners were Andor Losonczy in 2004, Boguslaw Schaeffer in 2007, Herbert Grassl in 2010, Hossam Mahmoud in 2013, Gerhard Winkler in 2016 and Robert Kainar in 2020. The award ceremony will take place on November 12 at the Salzburg Residenz together with other art prizes of the province.

Karastoyanova-Hermentin has close ties to Salzburg and was awarded the annual scholarship for music by the state of Salzburg. A further collaboration with the aspekte festival is planned for 2026. Performances of her works regularly take place in Europe and beyond. "I am delighted to receive this prestigious award from the province of Salzburg. Deeply rooted in the Salzburg music scene for three decades now, numerous of my commissioned compositions have been realized in first and world premieres. My thanks go above all to the great performers, the indomitable organizers and a curious, unbiased audience," said the prizewinner.