The Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik ("German Record Critics' Award") is an annual prize presented for achievement in recorded music.
It was inaugurated in Germany in 1963 by publisher Richard Kaselowsky with the aim of recognizing the "most rigorous standards for supreme achievement" in the field of recording.[1]
The awards are now run by an independent charitable organization, Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik e.V. The awards are decided by jury members who must be completely independent of any commercial interests.
The awards are presented annually in November, comprising ten "Jahrespreise" for significant recordings and three "Ehrenurkunden" (Certificates of Special Merit) given to musicians or producers for their lifetime achievement in the world of recording.
Recipients include Pierre Boulez (1995), Elvis Costello (2001), Mariza (2002 & 2003), Lhasa (2004), Brian Eno (2007) and Stockholm Lisboa Project (2009).
The critics also publish a "Bestenliste", a quarterly list of outstanding new releases on CD or DVD.[2] Composer and music critic Matthias Keller has been one of the long time judges for the competition.