The laureates of Estonian Music Council’s Music Prizes 2006 were announced on October 1 in Estonia Concert Hall. This year, the awards were presented to composer Toivo Tulev for distinguished creative achievements, to pianist Ivari Ilja for activities as a pedagogue and concert pianist of international stature, and to Andres Uibo, an organist and long-time promoter of the Tallinn International Organ Festival.
Estonian Music Council (EMC) was founded in 1992 and serves as a representative body of Estonian music institutions. The EMC awards the music prize already five years, since 2002, giving credit to Estonian musicians or music institutions whose activities have furthered the development of music scene. Last year’s laureates of EMC were composer Olav Ehala and violinist Arvo Leibur. This year, prizes in amount of 50 000 Estonian kroons were awarded in three categories – Composition Prize, Interpretation Prize and Organiser’s Prize.
The jury consisted of Peep Lassmann, Olav Ehala, Urvi Haasma, Marje Lohuaru, Mati Lukk, Marko Lõhmus, Toomas Siitan, Timo Steiner and Helena Tulve chose the winners from 31 nominees of the EMC member institutions.
The EMC music prizes were awarded at the concert in Estonia Concert Hall on October 1, the International Day of Music, programme including concert performance of the opera “Idomeneo, King of Crete” by W.A. Mozart performed by Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Estonian National Male Choir conducted by Olari Elts.