Younghi Pagh-Paan is the winner of the European Church Music prize 2015. The award is founded by the German city of Schwäbisch Gmünd. The award ceremony takes place on 22 July as part of the European Church Music Festival. Before the ceremony, there will be a concert in honor of Younghi Pagh-Paan featuring the world premiere of her new a cappella work, a composition for six voices based on the psalms and reflections of the Chinese philosopher Laotse (“In your light we see the light”).

The prize is endowed with 5,000 Euros and is awarded to artistic achievements in sacred music. Former prize winners include Klaus Huber, Arvo Pärt, Krzysztof Penderecki, Dieter Schnebel and Sofia Gubaidulina. Younghi Pagh-Paan receives the award for her outstanding merits on an intercultural level in contemporary composition and in teaching. “In the depth or in the darkness, there is not only horror and death but also rescue and light. This is faith. For that reason I want to search for the light, in music and in life.” (Younghi Pagh-Paan)