Hilary Hahn is has been awarded the 2021 Herbert von Karajan Prize. The prestigious honour was announced following her performance of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 with the Staatskapelle Dresden and conductor Daniele Gatti in Salzburg on Saturday, 30 October.

Arabel Karajan, the legendary conductor’s son, said, “Thank you, for this wonderful music, it is my special honor to award you with this prize in this extraordinary place where I’ve had the privilege of experiencing the most wonderful musical moments. In the spirit of my father, I may present you with this award.”

The prize, endowed by Eliette von Karajan, is worth € 50,000 and has been awarded annually since 2017 to a musician whose outstanding artistic achievements have received worldwide recognition.

Three-time Grammy® Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn melds expressive musicality and technical expertise with a diverse repertoire guided by artistic curiosity. Her barrier-breaking attitude towards classical music and her commitment to sharing her experiences with a global community have made her a fan favourite. Hahn is a prolific recording artist and commissioner of new works, and her 21 feature recordings have received every critical prize in the international press. She began her two year tenure as the inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in September 2021.

Photo: OJ Slaughter