John Wolf Brennan has become the first person to receive Switzerland's most prestigious arts award on two occasions.

The UBS Culture Foundation has awarded its 2008 Prize to Brennan 'for lifetime achievements'. The citation referred to his intermingling of formal composition and improvisation in works that accommodate the multiple influences of literature, dance, visual art and other styles of music. The Foundation also praised Brennan's solo piano repertoire, two operas (Güdelmändig and Night.Shift), his work for and with children, and his ensemble Pago Libre, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2009.

Currently a recipient of the Swiss Arts Council's largest grant, the Pro Helvetica Award, Pago Libre has received €150,000 in funding over three years.

In 1994, Brennan received the award of the Jubilee Foundation of the Swiss Bank Society, the precursor to the UBS Culture Foundation Prize.

Posted: 12 December 2008