Conductor Michael Alexander Willens Telemann Prize 2026

The 2026 Telemann Prize has been awarded to conductor Michael Alexander Willens. With this distinction, Magdeburg, Telemann’s birthplace, wanted to pay tribute to the American conductor’s impressive interpretation of his work.
A native of Maryland, Willens first performed in Magdeburg in 2012, conducting Telemann’s St Luke Passion (1728) with the Kölner Akademie orchestra. Since then, he has been committed to rediscovering remarkable works by Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767), particularly his largely unknown vocal compositions, in a historically informed interpretation, thus contributing significantly to Telemann’s international renown. Since 1987, the city of Magdeburg has awarded the Georg Philipp Telemann Prize annually to recognise outstanding achievements in the interpretation, preservation and study of Telemann’s life and work. The prize consists of a bronze plaque, a certificate and a cash award of €2,500. It will be presented to Willens by Simone Borris, the mayor of Magdeburg, on 14 March 2026.