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Philip Glass honored with Glenn Gould prize

Philip Glass

The American composer, chosen for his impact on contemporary musical, intellectual and artistic life, is the 11th person chosen as the Glenn Gould Prize Laureate

Selected by a jury of his peers which included Booker Prize-winning novelist Michael Ondaatje; actress, director, and writer Sarah Polley; and soprano Deborah Voigt; the biennial award was created as a tribute to Canadian pianist Glenn Gould and to reward an individual for a unique lifetime contribution that has "enriched the human condition" via the arts.

Accepting the award, Glass said: "It is for me a special honor as I am one of the many musicians who have been inspired by him. Glenn Gould's name is associated with a lifetime of excellence in music interpretation and performance. Also I am aware that this award places me in the company of some of the most celebrated names in the broad spectrum of the music of our time."

Past winners include Leonard Cohen, Oscar Peterson and Yehudi Menuhin.