The winners of the 16th annual BBC Music Magazine Awards – the only classical music recording awards in which the major categories are voted on by the public – have been announced at a scintillating ceremony in Kings Place, London.
About DSCHpianist by Igor Levit ambitious album of works by Shostakovich and Ronald Stevenson, received the Instrumental prize and the most prestigious trophy of the evening – Recording of the year. Praised for its subtlety and intimacy, the album includes Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes and Fugues and Stevenson’s Passacaglia. on DSCH, in which the Scottish composer transforms Shostakovich’s four-note musical monogram into a gargantuan three-part epic. Only a handful of pianists have reached the heights of Stevenson’s tour de force, and Levit does so in unforgettable style.
By winning Recording of the Year, Igor Levit commented, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. For this recording, receiving this award means the world to me. For me, it represents a ritual of self-exploration and self-discovery that deals with the most intimate matters.
Charlotte Smitheditor of BBC Music Magazine adds: “This is a monumental triumph from an artist known for pushing himself to the limits of musical achievement. Levit’s playing is human and nuanced in the Bach-inspired work Shostakovich Well-tempered keyboard – and in the Stevenson, he navigates the intense, epic score with remarkable style.’
This year Person of the year goes to star on the cover of the March issue of BBC Music Magazine Nicky Spence. The tenor has been a true force for good over the past 12 months – from his high-caliber operatic performances to his volunteering as a vaccinator during the pandemic and his Sky Arts show everyone can singit’s been an amazing year.
Tenor Tommaso’s Freddie won the Newcomer Award for his magnificent first album Keen of tenor airs by Puccini, Tosty et al. Sung in the tradition of De Tomasso’s hero Franco Corelli, the recording is elegant and heartfelt, turning gold from the simplest popular Italian songs.
the voice award switched to soprano Kateřina Kněžíkovathe delicious album of Phidyle, which showcases his delightful tone in songs accompanied by an orchestra.
This year Orchestra Prize go to Sinfonia of London and conductor John Wilson for their recording of Dutilleuxit is The wolfwhile the Choir Prize goes to emotional performances of J.S. Bachthe cantatasBWV 32, 82 & 106 by the Consort of Dunedin.
the Room price go to Trios for piano Ravel and Saint-Saëns speak Trio Sitkovetsky, and the Concerto Prize was awarded to the violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja, cellist Sol Gabetta and Camerata Bern’s adventurous drive Illuminated pleasures.
the Opera prices was given to the composer by Philip Glass Akhenaten, performed by Anthony Roth Costanzo, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Karen Kamensek.
Finally, the First price go to The Jukebox Album, including works by Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Clarice Assad, Jesse Montgomery and performed by the violinist Elena Urioste and pianist Tom Poster. The jury praised the recording for its genre-breaking performances, inspired by a lockdown project that helped spread the joy of music far and wide.
The winners of the 2022 awards were announced during a live ceremony at Kings Place, London, hosted by BBC Music Magazine editor Charlotte Smith and Radio BBC 3 presenter Tom Serviceand featured live performances from several winners, including Personality of the Year Nicky Spence and First price winning pianist Tom Canvas Print and violinist Elena Urioste.
