Cellist Sol Gabetta Wins 2024 Swiss Grand Prix for Music

Gabetta receives a cash prize of 100,000 CHF ($109,000)

The Argentine cellist Sol Gabetta has been named as the 2024 recipient of Switzerland's Grand Prix de Musique. A resident of the Swiss city of Aargau, Gabetta will receive a cash prize of CHF 100,000 — approximately $109,000. The award is given by Switzerland's Federal Office of Culture each year.

In addition, cash prizes of CHF 40,000 were given to composer Ivo Antognini, multi-instrumentalist Simone Aubert, yodeller Simone Felber, violinist Leila Schayegh, saxophonist Tapiwa Svosve, metal band Zeal & Ardor, and sound poet Zimoun.

Sol Gabetta first came to international prominence in 2004, when she received the Credit Suisse Young Artist Award. As a result, she made her concerto debut with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at the Lucerne Festival — and since that time, she has appeared as soloist around the world.

Gabetta is an advocate for the music of our time, and frequently performs new works, both live and on recordings. Her CD with violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja won the Swiss Grand Award for Music in 2017, and she is the presenter of KlickKlack — a Bavarian radio program that introduces new listeners to classical music.

Gabetta was the winner of the European Culture Prize in 2022 for outstanding achievements. She recently released a new CD, Mendelssohn, alongside the pianist Bertrand Chamayou.

"I am deeply honored to receive the Grand Prix de musique 2024," Gabetta said. "To be recognized alongside so many great artists who have come before me is truly humbling. It is incredibly touching to see my work appreciated in this way."