For distinguished criticism, Seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500).

Awarded to Justin Davidson of Newsday, Long Island, N.Y., for his crisp coverage of classical music that captures its essence.

Columbia University President George Rupp (left) presents Justin Davidson with the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: John King of the San Francisco Chronicle for his forcefully expressed and engaging essays illustrating the role that architecture and urban design plays in the life of his city, and Joseph Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal for his witty and commanding criticism of contemporary films.