On 28 January the influential Dutch composer Louis Andriessen received the Johan Wagenaar Prize, named after the late-romantic Dutch composer. He received the prize, worth €15000, for his complete oeuvre.

Chairman of the jury Winnie Sorgdrager said that "each work is a musical as well as extra-musical statement", and that it " also remained really Dutch", with references to carillons, wind bands, Mondriaan, and Vermeer.

Andriessen has played a great role in the development of Dutch contemporary music, and also had and still has international successes with his music. He is also a popular teacher with many young composers all around the world.

Later this year Louis Andriessen's 70th birthday will be celebrated in The Hague (23 May) and Amsterdam (6 June).

[Source www.nrc.nl]