<<  -- 4 --  Tess Crebbin    ALBAN BERG'S 'YOUNGER BROTHER'

Since there is now a German Pope in Rome, and a musical one as well, one of the cash awards went to the Guardini Foundation in Berlin, to commission a Roman Mass on occasion of World Youth Day, which takes place in August 2005 in Cologne, with Pope Benedict XVI present.

The importance of the German-Italian composer Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924) was also honoured by the Foundation, for one of the support awards went to the 'Musical Concepts' (Musik-Konzepte) publishing house in Berlin, to financially support the translation of some of Busoni's writings on music.

All in all, it was an enjoyable event, where the 89-year-old star of the evening won the hearts of everyone in the invitation-only audience, not only with his music but also with his charming personality and his gracious style. On accepting the 150,000 euro prize, Dutilleux did not forget to mention his long-time wife, the pianist Genevieve Joy, and even said a few words in English before going back into his native French to say what a great honor it was for him to be chosen for this important award.