Here are the nominees for the 2025 Nordic Council Music Prize

This year's nominees cover a wide spectrum of musical expression, from opera, classical music and art music to rock, pop and jazz. Common to all is that they produce fantastic music of very high quality, all with artistic integrity and great originality. Some distinguish themselves through interpretations of the greatest works in music history, while others are creative artists and composers.

The nominees for the 2025 Nordic Council Music Prize represent the best in their genres and are helping to shape and renew music in the Nordics. Together they make up a varied and exciting collection of artists who, in their own way, are paving the way for Nordic music.

Here are the nominees:

The twelve nominees have been put forward by the members of the adjudication committee for the Nordic Council Music Prize.

The winner of the 2025 Nordic Council Music Prize will be announced on 21 October. During the Session of the Nordic Council in Stockholm, which takes place in the last week of October, the winner will receive the “Nordlys” prize statuette at a special award ceremony. The prize is worth DKK 300,000. 

The Nordic Council Music Prize was first awarded in 1965 and recognises the creation and performance of music of a high artistic standard. The prize is awarded on alternate years to a work by a living composer in one year, and an individual performer or group the next. This year, the prize is to be awarded to an individual performer or group.