For distinguished musical composition by an American that has had its first performance or recording in the United States during the year, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to “Second Concerto for Orchestra” by Steven Stucky; premiered March 12, 2004 by the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California. (Theodore Presser Company)

Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger (left) presents Steven Stucky with the 2005 Pulitzer Prize in Music.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: “Dialogues” by Elliot Carter, premiered in the U.S. June 7, 2004 by Musicians from The Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the MusicNOW contemporary music series in Chicago, IL. (Boosey & Hawkes), and “You Are (Variations)” by Steve Reich, premiered October 23, 2004 by the Los Angeles Master Chorale at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, CA (Boosey & Hawkes) .