This year, the Acoustic Guitar section award goes to Bob Taylor for his contribution to the evolution of the contemporary acoustic guitar—and above all for his ability to blend industrial-scale production with the culture of lutherie, creating a globally recognized model of excellence, as well as for helping to redefine the role of the instrument maker in the modern world. 

In the Vintage Guitar Collecting category, the award goes to renowned Hungarian collector Viktor Nemeth for his work researching and preserving the history of the electric guitar through his celebrated Budapest Collection, which comprises over 250 American guitars and around fifty vintage amplifiers. For the event, Nemeth is bringing two extraordinary instruments—both legendary in the history of rock—from his collection to Cremona. The first is the 1959 “Bigsby Born” Les Paul Standard belonging to Matthias Jabs, guitarist for the Scorpions. The second is the “Burst” with serial number 9-0600, crafted in early 1959 as part of the highly sought-after “9-06” series. 

The “Strings Performance” award will be presented to Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang, recognizing the artistry with which she harmonizes tradition, personality, and creative freedom, as well as her distinctive pursuit of sound. 

Violinist and artistic director Michael Guttman will receive the “Music & Vision” award for conceiving, creating, and producing various music festivals across different countries, transforming music into a bridge connecting places, cultures, artists, and audiences. With this honor, Cremona Musica recognizes a figure for whom music is not merely performance, but also a vision and a means of creating new communities through art. 

The special “A Life for the Piano” award will be presented to Giovanni Iannantuoni in recognition of his efforts to organize musical initiatives, gatherings, and educational opportunities for generations of pianists. 

Among the recipients in the “Special Projects” category are three acclaimed musicians from Cremona: Mattia Tedesco, Simone Bertolotti, and Andrea Torresani—an honor celebrating a unique story where the profound value of friendship intertwines with great music. Born and raised in Cremona, the three artists took their first steps by collaborating in Simone’s original local studio, turning a shared passion into the foundation of outstanding careers. From those intimate, authentic beginnings, their talent led them to conquer prestigious international stages and collaborate with major music stars, all while carrying the name of Cremona with them across the globe. 

Finally, the presentation of the Accordion Award recognizes and celebrates the 40-year legacy of the artisan firm Tiranti Fisarmoniche; over four decades, the company has combined expertise and dedication to the accordion, remaining true to the artisan traditions of Castelfidardo.