The Würth Prize of Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland 2022 was awarded to the Notos Quartet
In conjunction with the Würth Foundation, the Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland (JMD) has been awarding prizes annually since 1991 to individuals, ensembles and projects whose activities exemplify the JMD’s principles. The prize receives special recognition from the German Music Council and is one of the most exclusive awards in the German music landscape. Previous laureates include pianist Lars Vogt, percussionist Martin Grubinger, the Federal Youth Orchestra of Germany, and the education program of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
As of this year, the prize endowment was raised to €25,000.
On September 26, 2022, the prize was awarded to the Notos Quartet.
The ensemble members Sindri Lederer (violin), Andrea Burger (viola), Philip Graham (cello) and Antonia Köster (piano) were honored for their passionate and expressive interpretations, with which they captivate listeners. Their playing is "highly sensitive and rounded” said clarinetist, conductor and composer Jörg Widmann in his laudation speech. "Each an excellent individual musician in their own right, the four put their musical skills at the service of the even higher cause of chamber music, a fragile archetype of music-making." Widmann taught in the JMD's Notos Chamber Music Academy in 2021 in an inspired collaboration with the Quartet. In fostering young talent, he said, the ensemble creates unforgettable moments whose meaning to young musicians and the community alike extend far beyond music alone.
The award was presented by Prof. Dr. h. c. mult. Reinhold Würth, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Würth Foundation, and Maria Würth, Member of the Board of the Würth Foundation, as well as JMD President Johannes Freyer. "There is openness and friendliness in the Notos Quartet’s playing," said Johannes Freyer, praising the group’s attitude of always being personally relatable in both artistic matters and interpersonal encounters, and their ability to relate to people of different languages and cultures. Reinhold Würth also emphasized: "For a moment this evening, we can detach ourselves from Corona, the Ukraine war, and climate problems and allow ourselves to be taken in by the magic of music for the sake of our soul and spirit. I think this gives us back a bit of strength.”
The award ceremony took place at the Carmen Würth Forum at the headquarters of the Würth Group in Künzelsau in Baden-Württemberg. The Notos Quartet performed a movement from W.A. Mozart's Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, K. 493 and an inspiring interpretation of Johannes Brahms' Piano Quartet in G Minor, Op. 25. Jörg Widmann argued that every concert these days is also about "formulating a contrast through art" to the conflicts of this world.
