Festspielhaus Baden-Baden / 2011 Herbert von Karajan Music Prize

Baden-Baden Cultural Foundation honours Helmuth Rilling

BADEN-BADEN – It was announced by the Board of Trustees of the private Festspielhaus Baden-Baden Cultural Foundation that the recipient of the 2011 Herbert von Karajan Music Prize will be Stuttgart conductor and Bach expert Helmuth Rilling (77). For over 50 years Helmuth Rilling has played a pivotal role in the international music scene. Since founding the Gächinger Kantorei and Bachkollegium Stuttgart, he has continually promoted and supported young musicians within a range of projects. In 1981 Rilling also founded the International Bach Academy of Stuttgart which transformed ideas on music mediation long before the subject gained popularity in Germany. Rilling’s ensemble has enthralled millions with its interpretations of oratorios and choral works by Bach.

From 2001 to 2009, Helmuth Rilling was director of the “Festivalensemble Stuttgart”, where young musicians from more than 20 nations were able to present their own interpretations of music - both old and new. From 2011, these endeavours will  continue as part of the newly founded “Young Stuttgart Bach Ensemble” which will take place during the Stuttgart Bach Week. Last but not least, he cemented his reputation in the international music scene when he directed the Oregon Bach Festival.  

“Helmuth Rilling is a celebrated personality of the international music scene, and also a tireless ambassador for the music of Johann-Sebastian Bach”, says Festspielhaus General Manager and Artistic Director Andreas Mölich-Zebhauser, regarding the selection of the prize recipient by the Board of Trustees of the private Festspielhaus Baden-Baden Cultural Foundation. “He perfectly embodies the premise behind this prize”. The Herbert von Karajan Music Prize – which is endowed with 50,000 Euro – will be presented to Helmuth Rilling during a gala concert which will take place on Friday 11th November 2011 at 7.00pm. The prize money must be used for the promotion and support of new musical talent, and is donated by the Herbert von Karajan Foundation.

Advanced ticket sales for the concert will commence on 15th April 2011. Helmuth Rilling and his Gächinger Kantorei will also take to the stage in the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden on 19th May 2011 to present Bach’s “Mass in B Minor”.