2009 Classical BRIT Award Nominations
Reich, Libera, Dudamel, Westenra and Howard All Make First Cut
Apr 21, 2009
The Classical BRIT Awards Academy, classical music listeners and critics alike have all voiced their opinions, and the nominations are in for the 2009 Classical BRIT Awards. This year's ceremony on May 14th, 2009 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Classical BRIT Awards, and nominees range from veteran conductors to a soprano who just released her debut album last year.
Classical music fans are invited to choose their favorite from the category NS&I Album of the Year Award. A panel of critics will choose the recipient of the Critics' Award, and a panel of film and television experts will decide the winner of the Soundtrack of the Year Award. The rest of the awards will be chosen by the Academy.
This year's nominees, by category, are as follows:
Female Artist of the Year
Anna Netrebko may be the mature musician in this category, but Balsom won a 2006 BRIT Award for Young British Classical Performer and de Niese is creating a splash with her bell-like soaring voice.
- Alison Balsom, trumpeter, nominated for her album Haydn & Hummel: Trumpet Concertos
- Anna Netrebko, soprano, nominated for her album Puccini: La Bohème & Souvenirs
- Danielle de Niese, soprano, nominated for her debut album Handel Arias
Male Artist of the Year
Seasoned conductors Mackerras and Davis contend against the 28-year-old Music Director of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra.
- Sir Charles Mackerras, nominated for his album Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 38-41
- Sir Colin Davis, conductor, nominated for his album Mozart: Requiem; Tippett: A Child of Our Time; MacMillan: The World's Ransoming; Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini; Beethoven: Mass in C; and Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4
- Gustavo Dudamel, conductor, nominated for his album Fiesta
Composer of the Year
A composer who experimented with recorded sound loops (Reich) competes against composers famous for their work in film and television.
- Howard Goodall, nominated for Eternal Light - A Requiem
- Nigel Hess, nominated for Concerto for Piano & Orchestra
- Steve Reich, nominated for Daniel Variations
Young British Classical Performer or Group
A violinist, soprano and silver-toned boys' choir contend for this award.
- Alina Ibragimova, violinist
- Elizabeth Watts, soprano
- Libera, all-boy vocal group
Soundtrack of the Year
Batman thriller The Dark Knight got a few Oscar nods. Will it take home a Classical BRIT Award as well?
- James Newton Howard, nominated for the score of I am Legend
- Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, nominated for the score of The Dark Knight
- Paul Cantelon, nominated for the score of The Other Boleyn Girl
Critics' Award
A baritone, pianist and conductor all vie for critics' pick.
- Gerald Finley, baritone, nominated for his album Julius Drake Schumann: Dichterliebe & other Heine Settings
- Paul Lewis, pianist, nominated for his album Beethoven: Piano Sonatas vol.4
- Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor, nominated for his album Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Symphonies Nos. 38-41
NS&I Album of the Year
Nominees range from monks to catholic priests to Royal Scots to the Salvation Army to Hayley Westenra.
- 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 Hayley Westenra
- Jonathan Ansell - Tenor at the Movies
- Katherine Jenkins - Sacred Arias
- Mike Oldfield - Music of the Spheres
- The Priests - The Priests
- The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards- Spirit of the Glen - Journey
- The Salvation Army - Together
Lifetime Achievement In Music
One of the famous three tenors, José Carreras has received the 2009 award in this category.
Sources
2009 Classical BRIT Awards website.
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