And the nominations are in…
The BPI has announced the nominations for the tenth annual Classical BRIT awards at the Mayfair Hotel this evening. Hosted by the lovely Myleene Klass, the specially invited audience and nominees were treated to stunning performances from a number of artists including members of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, pianist James Rhodes and a duet from the multi-million selling singer Katherine Jenkins and ‘little sister’ Faryl Smith.
We spoke to both singers before their performances, and they were both as excited as each other! We were on the red carpet interviewing the stars of classical music, and spoke to Blake, Hayley Westenra, James Rhodes, Howard Goodall, two of the RoyalScots Dragoon Guards and host Myleene Klass. We were asking them for their nominations predictions, what they had on their iPod playlists, and whether they think classical music’s moving into the mainstream was a good thing. Check out the Classical BRITs channel tomorrow morning to watch all these videos.
Jose Carreras, one of the two remaining members of Three Tenors (R.I.P Pavorotti), had already been announced as the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to music award, and comes in line after many worthy recipients such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Paul McCartney and Placido.
The Classical BRITs provide a template for the classical music industry as a whole, creating a broader audience for the genre and, each year boosting the sales for nominees and performers. Chairman of the Classical BRIT Awards Committee, Dickon Stainer and Vice Chair Barry McCann commented, “It is no coincidence that the plethora of classical recordings entering the UK pop album chart has coincided with the reign of the Classical Brit Awards as the leading event in the UK Classical calendar. During the past 10 years, the show has celebrated all areas of the recorded classical music business.”
The 10th annual Classical BRIT awards will be held in the iconic Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 14th May, and hosted for the second year running by classical musican and TV presenter Myleene Klass who said:
“I am thrilled to be asked back for a second year to host the biggest event on the classical calendar, The Classical BRIT Awards. It is an event that is close to my heart and I am really looking forward to being a part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations and presenting what will be an unforgettable night. Now all I have to do is find a dress.”
With two nominations each conductor Sir Charles Mackerras and soundtrack maverick James Newton Howard lead the way. And judging from last year’s ceremony, where temperamental violinist Nigel Kennedy had to be quickly replaced because ‘he doesn’t do red carpets’, and then pregnant soprano Anna Netrebko arriving in an eye-catching baby-doll dress, things could get very interesting!
The nominees:
NS&I Album of the Year ( vote on Classicfm.com)
Andrea Bocelli- Incanto
Cistercian Monks- Chant Music for Paradise
Fron Male Voice Choir- Voices of the Valley- Home
Hayley Westenra- River of Dreams, The Very Best of…
Jonathan Ansell- Tenor at the Movies
Katherine Jenkins- Sacred Arias
Mike Oldfield- Music of the Spheres
The Priest- The Priests
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards- Spirit of the Glen-Journey
The Salvation Army- Together
Male Artist of the Year
Sir Charles Mackerras
Sir Colin Davis
Gustavo Dudamel
Female Artist of the Year
Alison Balsom
Anna Netrebko
Danielle De Niese
Soundtrack of the Year
James Newton Howard- I am Legend
James Newton Howards and Hans Zimmer- The Dark Knight
Paul Cantelon- The Other Boleyn Girl
Composer of the Year
Howard Goodall
Steve Reich
Nigel Hess
Critics award
Paul Lewis- Beethoven Piano Sonatas Volume 4
Gerald Finley and Julias Drake- Schumann Dicher Liebe
Sir Charles Mackerras and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra- Mozart Symphonies no.38-41
Young British Classical Performer or Group
Alina Ibragimova
Elizabeth Watts
Libera
