Cellist Jonathan Swensen wins new music prize worth 500,000 kroner

At 29, cellist Jonathan Swensen is the first recipient of Denmark’s new Olesens Music Prize, which comes with an award of 500,000 kroner. The prize will be presented for the first time on April 25, 2027.

The award also includes a targeted effort to increase Swensen’s visibility among leading concert halls and orchestras across the Nordic countries. Olesens Music Prize was established by the Erik and Susanna Olesen Charitable Foundation and will be awarded every two years.

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It feels as if there are people who really believe in me and want to help me. Music can develop people, and having the opportunity to reach more people through the Olesens Music Prize is fantastic.

The prize is intended to support young classical musicians who master tradition while helping shape the future of classical music. Stine Hasbirk, chair of the prize, violist and member of the DR Symphony Orchestra, said Swensen met those criteria.

“Jonathan Swensen is a musician who manages to make the music his own. He has impressive technical freedom, but technique is never the focus. It is the music and the story,” Hasbirk said in a press release. Swensen said the award made him feel that people believed in him and wanted to help him reach more listeners.

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Jonathan Swensen is a musician who manages to make the music his own. He has impressive technical freedom, but technique is never the focus. It is the music and the story.