Sofia Gubaidulina
Photo: Remy Franck
Composer Sofia Gubaidulina (*1931) is the recipient of BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria) Foundation’s Frontiers of Knowledge Award in contemporary music. The Foundation says: « Sofia Gubaidulina is an outstanding example of a composer who has pursued her own distinctive voice and followed her conscience despite extremely difficult political circumstances. Her achievement is one of uncompromising courage and perseverance. And it is these qualities of individual strength and artistic integrity that are expressed through her music.’
The jury emphasised Gubaidulina’s « outstanding musical and personal qualities’ and stated that her oeuvre demonstrates ‘the exceptional range and quality of her music, which builds on a diversity of traditions in individual and innovative ways, using a range of instruments that sometimes draw on folk music and improvisation. » The award is worth 400.000 Euros.
