Wihuri Sibelius Prize
The Wihuri Sibelius Prize is a music prize awarded by the Wihuri Foundation for International Prizes to prominent composers who have become internationally known and acknowledged. The Wihuri Sibelius Prize is one of the biggest and most prestigious music prizes in the world of classical music. The first Sibelius Prize was awarded to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, whom the prize was named after, in 1953. By 2015, the Wihuri Foundation for International Prizes has awarded altogether 16 Wihuri Sibelius Prizes, the latest award climbing up to €150.000. The Wihuri Sibelius Prize winner is selected by a five-member committee that consists of experts from Finnish music institutions. The prize may be awarded to private individuals or organizations regardless of nationality, religion, race or language.
Prizewinners
| Year [1] | Prizewinner [1] | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Jean Sibelius |  |
 Finland |
| 1955 | Paul Hindemith |  |
 West Germany |
| 1958 | Dmitri Schostakovich |  |
 Soviet Union |
| 1963 | Igor Stravinsky |  |
Soviet Union |
| 1965 | Benjamin Britten |  |
 United Kingdom |
| Erik Bergman | 75px | Finland |
|
| Usko Meriläinen | Finland |
||
| Einojuhani Rautavaara | 75px | Finland |
|
| 1971 | Olivier Messiaen | 75px |  France |
| 1973 | Witold Lutoslawski | 75px |  Poland |
| Joonas Kokkonen | 75px | Finland |
|
| 1983 | Krzysztof Penderecki | 75px | Poland |
| Aulis Sallinen | 75px | Finland |
|
| 2000 | György Ligeti | 75px |  Hungary/ Austria |
| 2003 | Magnus Lindberg | 75px | Finland |
| 2006 | Per Nørgård | 75px |  Denmark |
| 2009 | Kaija Saariaho | Finland |
|
| 2012 | György Kurtág |  |
Hungary |
| 2015 | Harrison Birtwistle | 75px | United Kingdom |
