Musical America has given Esa-Pekka Salonen their most prestigious award by naming him their "Musician of the Year". The award was presented at a ceremony at New York's Reebok Sports Club on December 12.
Salonen was recognised for "his innovative programming, for infusing a jolt of contagious energy into the LA music scene, and for building the Philharmonic into one of the country's great ensembles".
This is Salonen's second major award in the US this year. In February he was honoured with a President Merit Award at the Recording Academy’s 9th annual GRAMMY salute to Classical Music.
