15th Glenn Gould Prize Laureate Sir Elton John Photo Credit Peggy Sirota
TORONTO, CANADA/LONDON UK (March 20, 2025) – Sir Elton John, one of the most iconic and influential musicians of all time, has been named the Laureate of the 15th Glenn Gould Prize, The Glenn Gould Foundation announced today. After public nominations, the distinction of The Glenn Gould Prize Laureate is awarded by a diverse, international jury of distinguished artists and cultural leaders from music, literature, politics, law, literature, media, visual arts, film, dance and human rights to an individual whose body of work has enriched the human condition through the arts. They take into account such factors as transcendent excellence, innovation, humanitarian and social contributions, and the influence of their work either on their discipline or the broader culture.
With a career spanning more than five decades, Sir Elton John has not only redefined modern music but has also leveraged his influence to effect profound change in the world.
Sir Elton’s unparalleled artistry has left an indelible mark on the global music landscape. With over 300 million albums sold, and more than 50 Top 40 hits, he is one of only a handful of EGOT winners in history with five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, an Emmy Award and a Tony Award showing the versatility and adaptability of his music. His song “Candle in the Wind”, written with lyricist Bernie Taupin is the best-selling physical single of all time, and his enduring music is the vibrant songbook to millions across generations.
Beyond his musical legacy, Sir Elton’s impact on the human condition is immeasurable. Through his music, performance, activism, and charitable work, he continues to prove that his legacy is not just one of artistic brilliance, but of profound humanitarian commitment. He is a passionate advocate for social causes, with a particular focus on the fight against HIV/AIDS. His Elton John AIDS Foundation, established in 1992, has raised over USD$600 million to support prevention, treatment, and care for those affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide, making a tangible impact in communities often overlooked. He has been a tireless champion for LGBTQ+ rights, fighting discrimination, removing the stigma surrounding addition and advocating for equality. His philanthropic efforts extend to numerous other causes, from championing and supporting new and emerging artists to mental health.
“After spending decades admiring the virtuosity of Glenn Gould’s work, I am awestruck and honoured to receive this award,” said Sir Elton John.
The Glenn Gould Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of the Arts,” is one of the most prestigious international awards recognizing a living individual of any nationality or creative field for a unique lifetime contribution that has enriched the human condition through the arts.
Established in 1987 by The Glenn Gould Foundation to honour the legacy of the legendary Canadian pianist Glenn Gould, the prize is awarded biennially and includes a CDN$100,000 cash award for the Laureate, who also selects an exceptional young artist to receive the CDN$25,000 Glenn Gould Protégé Prize.
Sir Elton joins an illustrious group of artists who have been honoured as The Glenn Gould Prize Laureates, each recognized for their exceptional contributions to the arts and humanity. Since its inception in 1987, the Prize has celebrated individuals across various disciplines including R. Murray Shafer (1987), Yehudi Menuhin (1990), Oscar Peterson (1993), Tōru Takemitsu (1996), Yo-Yo Ma (1999), Pierre Boulez (2002), André Previn (2005), José Antonio Abreu (2008), Leonard Cohen (2011), Robert Lepage (2013), Philip Glass (2015), Jessye Norman (2018), Alanis Obomsawin (2020), Gustavo Dudamel (2022).
This year’s jury was led by the former Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Hon. Kim Campbell (Jury Chair) and included Academy, Emmy and Tony award winning actor Jeremy Irons, distinguished author and lawyer Bernhard Schlink (The Reader), producer Martin Katz (Hotel Rwanda and long-time David Cronenberg collaborator), Alexander Neef, General Director of the Paris Opera, screenwriter Lee Hall (Billy Elliot, War Horse, Rocketman), Chris Levine, the pioneering Canadian-born
“In selecting our Laureate, Elton John, we chose to honour someone who has great artistic accomplishments but whose life and whose art has been translated into something much greater than just performance or the consumption of music and things they’ve created,” said the 15th Glenn Gould Prize Jury Chair, the Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada. “Elton John has used his enormous talent and his great success to change lives. He’s been courageous in taking on causes, whether AIDS, LGBTQ+ rights, addiction and all sorts of issues that were not popular when he engaged with them and he was prepared to take the wonderful success that his musical talent had given him to make a difference in the world. And from our perspective that represents the highest level of achievement for an artist and celebrates the memory of Glenn Gould in the best way.”
Ms. Campbell added, “The whole process of chairing The Glenn Gould Prize jury was to be surrounded and bathed in achievement and accomplishment. The jurors themselves are a remarkable group of highly gifted artists, filmmakers, writers, producers etc. who really understand art and are deeply committed to it. They took to the task of considering so many truly exceptional candidates with incredible enthusiasm, great respect and great thoughtfulness. It was just a joy to work with them and a truly wonderful day.”
“Elton John embodies the spirit of artistic excellence, innovation, and profound humanity that The Glenn Gould Prize was created to celebrate,” said Brian Levine, CEO, Glenn Gould Foundation. “Glenn Gould’s vision was one of boundless creativity, fearless originality, and an unshakable commitment to using music as a force for good in the world. Sir Elton has exemplified these ideals throughout his extraordinary career, not only with his incredible musical catalogue and immense talent but also championing emerging artists across genres and using his global platform to inspire transformational humanistic change. His enduring impact on music and culture makes him a truly perfect recipient of this honour.”
The announcement of The Glenn Gould Prize Laureate was made during a special public event at Kings Place in London, offering an engaging afternoon of music and conversation. The event featured a Q&A session with the esteemed jury and special performances by acclaimed South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza and 17-year old Canadian piano prodigy Ryan Wang, recipient of the BBC’s prestigious 2024 Young Musician Award – underscoring the spirit of artistic excellence Glenn Gould Prize Laureates and Protégés celebrate.
Living candidates of any nationality are eligible for The Glenn Gould Prize, with nominations coming from the public. Disciplines include but are not limited to musical creation or performance, theatre, dance, choreography, writing, design, film, television, radio & broadcasting (including web-based communication), visual art, multimedia, writing, technology/innovation, architecture and design.
The prize will be presented to Sir Elton John during a special gala celebration to be held in Toronto this fall.
ABOUT THE GLENN GOULD FOUNDATION
Based in Toronto, Canada, The Glenn Gould Foundation, established in 1983, is a registered Canadian charitable organization dedicated to celebrating excellence in the arts and promoting cultural enrichment globally. As a beacon of excellence across multiple arts disciplines, The Glenn Gould Foundation continues to draw upon the legacy of Glenn Gould to envision a more enlightened world, dedicated to fostering cultural understanding, expressing our shared humanity through the arts and inspiring creativity worldwide.
Through tentpole initiatives such as The Glenn Gould Prize and Instrumental: Music and Mental Health, in addition to myriad programs, presentations, collaborations and co-presentations with arts organizations, artists and scholars worldwide, the Foundation honours the legacy of the iconic Canadian pianist, thinker, broadcaster, and recording artist Glenn Gould’s legacy through cultural diplomacy.
The Foundation awards its esteemed CDN$100,000 Glenn Gould Prize biennially to an individual in any creative discipline who has enriched the human condition through the arts. Each Glenn Gould Prize Laureate chooses a young artist of outstanding promise and gifts to receive the CDN$25,000 Glenn Gould Protégé Prize, in recognition of the vital importance of mentorship and as a symbol of the continuous line of creative inspiration that extends from one generation to the next.
Tune into the Gould Standard podcast, follow our social channels @glenngouldfoundation or visit our website www.glenngould.ca for more information.
