Sport stars, as would have been expected, dominated the New Year's honours list headlines, but there were still a few classical music names rightly rewarded for their work.

Classical artists recognised this year included John Butt, music director of the Dunedin Consort – whose recordings for Linn of works by Bach and Handel have earned regular praise in Gramophone's pages – and professor at the University of Glasgow, who was appointed OBE 'For services to Music in Scotland'.

Violinist Nicola Benedetti, signed to Universal Classics and whose most recent release was the Hollywood-inspired 'The Silver Violin', was appointed MBE 'For services to Music and to charity'. 'I am deeply honoured to receive an MBE,' said the 25-year-old. 'This has come as a real surprise to me and I am humbled. I hope this honour can help me continue to draw attention to the importance of classical music and the arts in British society.'

Other classical music-related honours included a CBE for Dr Michael Berman, chairman of the Southbank Sinfonia 'For services to Music and Philanthropy'; Professor Derek William Aviss, former joint principal Trinity Laban; and a Knighthood for Martin Smith, chairman of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, 'For charitable services to Education, Science and the Arts'.