The RPS Awards, partnered by BBC Radio 3, were presented this evening at London’s Dorchester Hotel, a not uncontroversial venue given its owner, the Sultan of Brunei’s imposition of full sharia law in his homeland, resulting in a boycott of the hotel by many in the entertainment and fashion world. 

Thirteen categories were recognized from over 400 nominations selected by 65 jurors. In the words of the RPS Chairman, John Gilhooly, ‘The Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards stand for integrity, commitment, enquiry and excellence. They are not commercially driven and cut through hype to put the focus on the music itself.’

The category winners were:

Daniel Barenboim – RPS Music Award for Conductor

Mezzo Joyce DiDonato – RPS Music Award for Singer 

Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja – RPS Music Award for Instrumentalist

Pianist Igor Levit – RPS Music Award for Young Artists

George Benjamin – RPS Music Award for Large-Scale Composition

Sir Harrison Birtwistle – RPS Music Award for Chamber-Scale Composition

Welsh National Opera – RPS Music Award for Opera and Music Theatre

Champs Hill – RPS Music Award for Chamber Music and Song

Glyndebourne: Imago – RPS Music Award for Learning and Participation

Britten-Pears Foundation: Britten 100 – RPS Music Award for Audiences and Engagement

Southbank Centre: The Rest is Noise – RPS Music Award for Concerts Series and Festivals

Touch Press – RPS Music Award for Creative Communication (for its Beethoven Ninth App)

The RPS Gold Medal went to the veteran bass Sir John Tomlinson

‘I often feel that classical music is underrated in this country,’ said Gilhooly, ‘and whilst celebrating the success of a wonderful year, I think we should not be blasé. We need to say, loud and clear, that music matters, shout loudly about outstanding talent, great concerts, inspirational opportunities to participate in music - show how it makes a difference - and understand that inertia and complacency can be every bit as detrimental to culture as a challenging economic climate.’