Herbert Blomstedt to be Awarded 2022 Rheingau Music Prize

Founded by Germany's Rheingau Music Festival, the award will be presented for the 29th time this year. Sponsored by the Hessian Ministry of Science and Art, the Rheingau Music Prize will be awarded to Herbert Blomstedt during his concert on Saturday, August 27, in the Basilica of Kloster Eberbach.

Blomstedt, aged 94, has served as the Chief Conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic, the Swedish and Danish Radio orchestras, and the Staatskapelle Dresden — in addition to Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.

Particularly known for his interpretations of Austro-Germanic and Scandinavian repertoire, he is an elected member of the Royal Swedish Music Academy and was awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit. Additionally, Blomstedt was given the title of Conductor Laureate in San Francisco, Leipzig, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Dresden, as well as from the Bamberg Symphony and the NHK Symphony Orchestra.

"The Rheingau Music Prize 2022 honors the Swedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt for his artistic life's work," the Rheingau selection jury commented. "In the more than sixty years of his career, he has earned the unqualified respect of the musical world and continues to be seen with artistic drive on the podium of all leading international orchestras."

"With his unpretentious as well as modest manner, he is one of the most successful and popular conductors of our time," they continued. "Through his passion for music and making music together, Herbert Blomstedt brings people together across generations."