Winner of the Nordic Council Music Prize 2013

The Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto wins the Nordic Council Music Prize.

Pekka Kuusisto (born 1976) is a violinist in the absolute elite and with as much unique creativity as musicality, says the Adjudication Committee.

The Nordic Council Music Prize is worth DKK 350,000 and was presented by last year's winner, Anna Thorvaldsdóttir, at a gala celebration at the Opera House in Oslo on 30th of October 2013.

The Adjudication Committee's motivation

Pekka Kuusisto moves with total freedom and great curiosity in a broad musical landscape where he finds completely new aspects of familiar motifs. Fearless, he explores an unknown terrain, but also invites the audience and the other players into a creative interaction. As a composer, arranger and artistic leader he creates inspiring contexts, particularly within the framework of folk music. Pekka Kuusisto is a strong performer who masters all techniques and expression - from the extreme virtuoso to the simple and moving.