Photo: Dennis Lehmann
Pelleprisen is named after Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen who is considered to be one of the most influential Danish composers of his time. Gudmundsen-Holmgreen was a rebelious artist, and throughout his life he was attracted to the uncompromising works written by young composers.
In his spirit Pelleprisen is given to a young composer who dares to go against the given trends of the time.
James Black received the prize at an event during KLANG festival. Composer and festival leader Christian Winther Christensen is a member of the jury, and he says to DR P2:
"First and foremost James Black is a great composer. He is creative and dares to leap into curious things - you are never bored listening to his works."
Together with the honour of receiving the prize comes DKK 15.000. James Black is the second composer to ever receive the award which was given out by KLANG festival and The Wilhelm Hansen Foundation for the first time in 2017.
Read an interview with James Black at DR.dk here.