Album concept „Pau oder Fiddling While Rome Burns“ highlights the importance of music in times of war
The Fanny Mendelssohn Förderpreis 2023 goes to the Berlin cellist Philipp Schupelius. The 19-year-old exceptional talent was convincing all along the line during the almost seven-hour jury session on Sunday: his highly accomplished musical performance, his concept of greatest current relevance and his convincing presentation impressed and touched the jury chaired by Prof. Dr. Dieter Rexroth. Under the title "Pau or Fiddling While Rome Burns", Philipp Schupelius shows what contribution music can make against the backdrop of war. The guiding principle of his musical search is the life's work of the Catalan cellist Pablo Casals, whose 50th death anniversary we will celebrate in 2023. As part of winning the Fanny Mendelssohn Förderpreis, Philipp Schupelius will be given the opportunity to record his debut album based on the winning concept next spring - entirely according to his own ideas. This is the tenth year that the coveted concept prize has been awarded to musical talents aged up to 25 for their musical visions.