RPS Music Awards shortlists announced

CBSO music director Andris Nelsons has been shortlisted for an RPS Music Award (photo: Marco Borggreve)

The Royal Philharmonic Society has released its shortlist of nominations for this year's RPS Music Awards, which celebrate live classical music in the UK. Presented in association with BBC Radio 3, the Awards will take place on May 14, honouring outstanding achievement in the UK throughout 2012. A host of British and international artists are represented with the impact of the Cultural Olympiad still felt in a number of nominations for the London 2012 Festival.

Awards in 13 categories will be presented this year at London’s Dorchester Hotel, including Singer, Instrumentalist, Conductor, Young Artist, Ensemble, Chamber Music and Song, Opera and Music Theatre, Concert Series and Festivals, and Learning and Participation. Among the high-profile nominees are UK singers Bryn Terfel, Sarah Connolly and Alice Coote; American tenor Bryan Hymel; pianists Steven Osborne and Francesco Piemontesi; and percussionist Colin Currie. The conductor award is contested by Opera North music director Richard Farnes, Bournemouth Symphony principal conductor Kirill Karabits, and CBSO music director Andris Nelsons.

This year’s RPS Music Awards form part of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s 200th birthday celebrations and as such will also feature a number of special awards honouring achievements beyond the UK. For full details of all the nominees visit the RPS Music Awards website.