Warner Music Prize Created To Support Young Classical Talent With $100,000 Grant

WMG To Award Prize To Young Classical Musician

WARNER MUSIC GROUP has created the WARNER MUSIC PRIZE, established with support from the BLAVATNIK FAMILY FOUNDATION, featuring a cash prize of $100,000 given to a classical musician aged 18-35 who demonstrates exceptional talent and promise, regardless of any label affiliation. In its inaugural year, the prize will be presented in association with CARNEGIE HALL, with the nominees drawn from those young singers and instrumentalists presented by the venue in significant solo roles during the 2014-15 concert season, who meet specific eligibility criteria.

The candidates’ performances will be evaluated by a jury of renowned classical musicians and industry leaders, who will announce the winner in the spring of 2015. In conjunction with the cash award, the winner will be showcased at ZANKEL HALL as part of the WARNER MUSIC PRIZE GALA at CARNEGIE HALL on OCTOBER 27th, 2015, which will raise funds for philanthropic and educational purposes. In addition to the WARNER MUSIC PRIZE, the winner will be offered the opportunity to record with WARNER CLASSICS.

The young artists under consideration, and the dates of their CARNEGIE HALL performances, are: sopranos SARAH SHAFER (FEBRUARY 22nd) and JENNIFER ZETLAN (DECEMBER 4th); mezzo-sopranos JAMIE BARTON (FEBRUARY 17th), RACHEL CALLOWAY (DECEMBER 4th), CECILIA HALL (JANUARY 17th), ALISA KOLOSOVA (FEBRUARY 1st), and PEABODY SOUTHWELL (DECEMBER 4th); bass-baritones AUBREY ALLICOCK  (DECEMBER 4th) and EVAN HUGHES (MARCH 8th); tenor DOMINIC ARMSTRONG (DECEMBER 4th); violinists AUGUSTIN HADELICH (DECEMBER 28th) and ITAMAR ZORMAN (NOVEMBER 5th and MARCH 26th); cellist BROOK SPELTZ (MARCH 26th); double bassist ROMAN PATKOLO (NOVEMBER 11th); harpist SIVAN MAGEN (OCTOBER 21st); and pianist BEHZOD ABDURAIMOV (JANUARY 27th and FEBRUARY 18th).

WARNER RECORDED MUSIC Pres./International STU BERGEN commented; "THE WARNER MUSIC PRIZE has been created to recognize and reward promising musicians early in their careers, when they need it the most. We are thrilled to partner with CARNEGIE HALL for the inaugural prize and are looking forward to a series of exciting performances this season and the gala celebration of the first recipient next fall.”

CARNEGIE HALL Exec. Artistic Dir. CLIVE GILLINSON commented: “Support of young talent and the next generation of great performing artists are goals that are central to CARNEGIE HALL’s mission.  Aligned with this, we’re excited to partner with WARNER MUSIC GROUP as it launches the WARNER MUSIC PRIZE, shining a spotlight on the many exceptional young artists presented on the HALL’s three stages this season, including the prize’s first honored recipient.  We also thank WARNER for selecting CARNEGIE HALL’s WEILL MUSIC INSTITUTE as a beneficiary of the PRIZE's gala, supporting music education programs designed to nurture young talent and creativity.”

ACCESS INDUSTRIES Chairman and BLAVATNIK FAMILY FOUNDATION Founder LEN BLAVATNIK stated:  “One of the primary missions of our FOUNDATION is to support and encourage creative young people in a diversity of disciplines. Acknowledging and helping young musicians is essential if we are to see classical music thrive for generations to come.”

The day-to-day running of the WARNER MUSIC PRIZE is being overseen by WARNER MUSIC GROUP SVP ELIAH SETON.

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