Vital Julian Frey receives Thun Music Prize
The city of Thun honors the artist George Steinmann with the Grand Culture Prize. Harpsichordist Vital Julian Frey is also honored with the Music Prize. This year's Kulturstreuer goes to the Thuner Kulturnacht association, while artist and movement actress Susanne Zoll receives the Kulturförderpreis.
According to the laudation, Vital Julian Frey stands for "technical brilliance and ease". With his openness to experimental and open-minded working methods, he brings his instrument closer to a wide range of audiences, according to the cultural commission's reasons for awarding the music prize to Vital Frey. The prize money amounts to 10,000 francs.
Frey lives and works in Steffisburg. As a soloist, his concert activities have taken him to the most important international stages and festivals. He has performed at the Lucerne Festival and the Rheingau Music Festival. In 2016, the busy musician took over the directorship of the Bachwochen Thun. Vital Julian Frey is also an ensemble leader, teaches at the Thun Region Music School, is an organist and cultural representative of the Reformed parish in Steffisburg. In 2000, he was awarded the Cultural Promotion Prize of the City of Thun.
George Steinmann grew up in Thun and lives and works in Bern. The visual artist, musician and researcher studied painting, music and Afro-American studies in Basel and San Francisco. He has been active as a musician on tours and at festivals in Europe since 1966 with his own bands and with well-known musicians such as Mike Henderson.
The City of Thun awards the Grand Culture Prize in recognition of outstanding cultural achievements of supra-regional importance. The Grand Culture Prize is endowed with CHF 15,000.
