The President of the Republic of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves gives the conductor Paul Hillier 4th class Order of the White Star for activities in Estonian music life.
Paul Hillier is Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC). Besides active concert life he has a close cooperation with Harmonia Mundi in recording with EPCC. The recordings have been awarded with several prizes, including four Grammy nominations (“Baltic Voices 1”, 2002; “The Powers of Heaven”, 2003; “Baltic Voices 2”, 2004; “Da Pacem” with Arvo Pärt’s music, 2006), “Baltic Voices 3” was awarded the prestigious Diapason d’Or prize (2005) and Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (2006), “Baltic Voices 3” and Rachmaninov’s “All-Night Vigil” have welcomed with critical praise. Hillier has close creative relationships with a number of living composers, most notably Steve Reich and Arvo Pärt.
In 2004 he was awarded the Estonian Cultural Prize, in 2006 he was awarded the O.B.E. for services to choral music.
Paul Hillier is a co-founder of The Hilliard Ensemble, a founder and director of Theatre of Voices and Chief Conductor of Ars Nova Copenhagen.
The Order of the White Star is bestowed on Estonian citizens to give recognition for services rendered in state public service or local government and on foreigners for services rendered to the Estonian state. The Order of the White Star comprises seven classes.