Honorary Awards
The annual committee of the PdSK awards Honorary Awards in the form of certificates to outstanding personalities who, as interpreters, artists, or producers, have made a noteworthy contribution to the recording of music on audio and video mediums.
Classical Music
Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin
It all began with an attic find in the GDR, where historical instruments were almost impossible to come by. The newly-founded Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin was made up of musicians from the East Berlin opera houses and the former Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester, and gave its first concert in 1982 in the Köpenick Castle Church. It must have been a big bang – because it is not only today’s Berlin baroque music scene that benefits from the founding of AKAMUS. The ensemble has moved fans from Tokyo to Buenos Aires, New York and London with its infectious desire to illuminate the greatest masterpieces of the Baroque in hitherto unimagined depth and to reflect them through rediscovered scores, freshly recovered from the archives. With over a hundred recordings, AKAMUS has set many internationally-acclaimed milestones. The walls of its ivory tower are porous for listeners who follow the academic philosophy of AKAMUS and allow themselves to be drawn into the ensemble’s endlessly joyous playing. For the annual committee: Julia Kaiser
Jazz, Rock, Pop
Anouar Brahem
Anouar Brahem’s art unfolds in many ways: when he plays the short-necked oud, which originates from the Middle East, as a soloist or in harmony with other musicians, and in his encounters with non-European cultures. The Tunisian-born artist collaborates with leading representatives of a wide variety of styles, demonstrating impressively just how well the sound of the oud can blend with other instruments to create a harmonious whole. Brahem’s work crosses borders and defies conventional categories such as world music, ethnic music or jazz. He always follows his own idiosyncratic, experimental path, where Arabic and European sounds meet with improvisational influences from jazz. His music never sounds forced or dramatic, but rather calm and meditative – it thrives on the magic of the moment. Anouar Brahem tirelessly interrogates the expressive possibilities of his instrument – in haunting explorations that we hope to hear from him for a long time to come. For the annual committee: Helge Grünewald
Jazz, Rock, Pop
Jennifer Weist
Jennifer Weist, alias Yaenniver, stands for the courage to be loud with her music where silence would be more convenient (for perpetrators). As an »angry woman«, she fights against abuse of power and sexism in the music industry, against sexualised violence and against the patriarchy. In an industry that often rewards complacency and suppresses dissenting voices, Jennifer Weist remains unwaveringly clear. Even though she never wanted to be one, she is a feminist role model. In her lyrics, she unflinchingly addresses (female) anger, self-determination and, yes, vulnerability. Her exceptionally versatile and powerful singing voice, her stage presence and her clear stance against nationalism – all these things make Jennifer Weist one of the most important German-speaking singers. Many years ago, as the lead singer of the band Jennifer Rostock, she sang in the song »Himalaya«: »And I’m still here.« That continues to hold true. Fortunately. For the annual committee: Nastassja von der Weiden