The awarding of the Opus Klassik took place last weekend. The winners include Anne-Sophie Mutter and Rudolf Buchbinder.
This year's awarding of the Opus Klassik took place on two consecutive evenings in Berlin due to the corona. The price for classical music in Germany went to big stars again last Saturday and Sunday in 2020. The Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder (73) was honored for his life's work.
Buchbinder is particularly known for his interpretations of works from the Viennese Classic, such as the piano sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). "My life is a life for music," he explained. Buchbinder is particularly pleased to receive the award in the Beethoven year 2020. "I see the award as an invitation and an obligation to continue on my path in accordance with my maxim, 'Anyone who believes they are something has ceased to be something'."
Thomas Gottschalk thanks ZDF
Entertainer Thomas Gottschalk (70) moderated the gala on Sunday from 10:15 p.m. on ZDF. "Even at 'normal' times, classical music is always a bit in the elite corner. I find it all the more remarkable when top stars of this genre like Anne-Sophie Mutter and Jonas Kaufmann come out of cover and thus give Opus Klassik the greatness he deserves, "he explained. "I give ZDF great credit for being able to start despite the difficult circumstances. I am happy to be able to make a small contribution to the success." The event was made possible by the support of the automobile group Mercedes-Benz, which among other things provided a fully electric fleet of EQC and the new EQV for the artists, as well as by the Society for the Exploitation of Ancillary Rights (GVL) and the media partner Welt am Sonntag.
Awards to Marlis Petersen and Jonas Kaufmann
Further prizes this year went to tenors Daniel Behle (46, "Singer of the Year") and Jonas Kaufmann (51, "Classical Without Borders"), soprano Diana Damrau (49, "Soloist recording of vocals"), recorder player Dorothee Oberlinger ( 51, "instrumentalist recorder") and pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja (74, "instrumentalist piano").
The laudators were just as well known as the winners themselves: They included the actresses Désirée Nosbusch (55, "Bad Banks") and Natalia Wörner (53), actor Matthias Brandt (59, "Polizeiruf 110") and composer John Williams (88 ).
Anne-Sophie Mutter and Elina Garanca received awards
Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter (57) received the award in the "Instrumentalist (Violin)" category for her film music album "Across the Stars", on which she plays music by John Williams. "It's a wonderful award, precisely because it honors the work of John Williams and works we know from the score that were specially adapted for 'Across The Stars' – this album that was produced in Hollywood," said her to her award. "I would like to thank the jury for honoring contemporary music in all its diversity."
Elina Garanca (44), who was honored as "Singer of the Year", thanked for the award ceremony in Corona times. The difficult year "literally pulled the rug from under our feet". "So many people are struggling to survive. Still, I hope that classical music gives people a hug, something that we can't physically experience together right now," she continued.