Your Majesties
Dear Mariss Jansons,

It is a great honour and pleasure for me on behalf of the Norwegian Government – and I would add, the Norwegian people – to express our gratitude for the invaluable contribution you have made to the Norwegian music scene.

As chief conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra from 1979 you have made the orchestra one of the leading symphonic orchestras in Europe. This means that we here in Norway have been given the opportunity to experience concerts of the highest quality which otherwise only audiences in the musical metropolises of the world have.

The impact of your work and your dedication to music reach far beyond the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. You have actively dedicated yourself to help and promote young musical talents, and you initiated the Queen Sonja International Music Competition.

Your unique commitment to the cause of improving the working conditions for, and professional development of, the musicians is well known.

It is therefore most appropriate that the Government - in honour of your work - will establish a grant bearing your name for the musicians in the orchestra that has been so close to your heart. It will be an annual grant of 100 000 kroner to promote the musical development of members of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra.

We thank you for your contribution to the musical scene in Norway.

We thank you for the important part you have played in Norwegian culture.