Pianist Thomas Beijer awarded with the Nederlandse Muziekprijs
Thomas Beijer receives the Nederlandse Muziekprijs, the highest award for young talented musicians.
The jury calls Thomas Beijer an 'uomo universale': an all-rounder. Thomas Beijer is active as a composer, arranger, improviser, presenter, cartoonist, writer, artistic director, but above all as a chamber musician and soloist.
From the committee report:
"His refined sense of sound balance and phrasing stands out, along with his intimacy and directness. He is blessed with an excellent technique, which is completely subordinate to his spontaneous and infectious way of playing. [..] With his pianistic skills at his core, Thomas Beijer expands with ease into different forms of expression. As a listener, you hear a gifted and virtuoso pianist, but Beijer also understands the art of bringing to life the thoughts of a composer, a kindred spirit. He performs the work, but also lets us hear the story behind it. This shows not only his love of music, but also his dedication and great empathy.”
Thomas will receive the award from Gunay Uslu, State Secretary for Culture and Media on February 17th, after performing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major with the Noord Nederlands Orkest, conducted by Eivind Gullberg Jensen at the Oosterpoort in Groningen.
The Performing Arts Fund awards the Nederlandse Muziekprijs on behalf of Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
“Music and art can indeed solve world problems. Art shapes the way people think, how we interact with each other and our environment. It makes us more empathetic and noble. I firmly believe that, and I thank the Performing Arts Fund and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science for this particularly honourable award.”