The German city of Schwäbisch Gmünd has awarded John Rutter the €5000 European Church Music Prize. Their citation commended him for ‘his great contributions to the field of clerical music: John Rutter is currently one of the most important and popular representatives of the genre. His personal style is unmistakable – a great melodic ingenuity, complex harmonies and rhythms give Rutter’s church music a suggestive power that touches both professional and amateur ensembles alike.’
The prize will be awarded in a ceremony on July 18th as part of the Schwäbisch Gmünd Festival of European Church Music.