RPS Music Awards Winners
Classical music ground-breakers proved true to form by taking many of the plaudits at this year’s RPS Music Awards, the UK’s most prestigious accolades for live classical music. Composers Kaija Saariaho and Kevin Volans, the London Sinfonietta, the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and conductor Oliver Knussen all emerged triumphant. The Awards are presented in association with BBC Radio 3 and were announced on Tuesday 11 May at the Dorchester Hotel.
Nearly four hundred guests from the music profession attended the ceremony which was hosted by BBC Radio 3's Sean Rafferty and Sara Mohr-Pietsch and presented by past RPS Award winner Sir John Tomlinson. The keynote speech was given by artist Grayson Perry.
The RPS Music Awards are widely recognised as the most prestigious in the field of live classical music. Awards, in 13 categories, are decided by independent panels consisting of some of the music industry’s most distinguished practitioners. They honour musicians, composers, writers, broadcasters and inspirational arts organisations for their work in 2009.