RPS Music Awards Presentation Evening
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. Philharmonia Orchestra's innovative re-rite project scooped two awards. (Announced Tuesday 11 May 2010)
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 presented in association with BBC Radio 3 who broadcast a programmed dedicated to the Awards Winners on ‘Performance on 3’ at 19:00 on 12 May 2010. It will then be available on ‘Listen Again’ for seven days.
Graham Sheffield, Chairman of the Royal Philharmonic Society comments:
“This is an exciting time for classical music in the UK. The quality, ambition and musical intelligence of our award winners – distinctive music makers from across the generations – speaks volumes. Whether through a fresh approach to traditional repertoire or a desire to seek out the new and different, nurture young talent or engage with new audiences, they are turning bold, often daring, artistic ambitions into dazzling reality. Living proof that, even in straitened times, bold thoughts and brilliance can win through.”
