RPS Music Awards, May 2012: Maurizio Pollini
Maurizio Pollini receives the RPS Music Award (Instrumentalist category) for his UK appearances in 2011.
CITATION FROM THE JURY: "This award is for one of the great musical events of 2011 -- and indeed of recent years. The Pollini Project, five recitals at the Royal Festival Hall curated especially for London audiences, featured imaginative and inspiring programming, taking listeners through the piano repertoire from Bach to Boulez, in performances of the utmost musical integrity, perfectly marrying intellect to emotion. Here is a giant of the piano, an international figure whose fame has nothing to do with hype and everything to do with uncompromising brilliance: Maurizio Pollini."
Mitsuko Uchida receives RPS Gold Medal - 8 May 2012, London
Dame Mitsuko Uchida received the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal at the RPS Music Awards in London on 8 May 2012.
The Society's citation reads: "Mitsuko Uchida has been enthralling audiences for decades with the sensitivity, insight, and unshowy brilliance of her playing. She is beloved by audiences the world over and held in special affection in Britain, where she now lives.
But she is not an artist who craves the limelight, devoting much of her time to rehearsal and study. Her luminous and penetratingly intelligent playing of the classical composers, especially the Viennese trio of Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, has justly gained her worldwide respect and acknowledgement as one of the great pianists of our time. Through the Borletti-Buitoni Trust she is also a tireless mentor to young artists.
We salute Mitsuko Uchida therefore as both a peerless musician and a great humanist."
Nikolaus Harnoncourt receives RPS Gold Medal - 22 April 2012, Barbican
Nikolaus Harnoncourt received the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal at the Barbican on Sunday 22 April 2012, to a standing ovation from the audience.
In awarding the RPS Gold Medal to Nikolaus Harnoncourt, the citation of the society comments:
"Nikolaus Harnoncourt was a pioneer in the early period instrument revival, but much more besides. As a conductor his name is legendary with singers for his extraordinary vision into early, baroque, classical and even operetta. Performances with Harnoncourt are always unique and special.
Nearly 60 years ago he formed the Concentus Musicus Wien with period instruments, but he also works with most of the world's main orchestras using modern instruments and was one of the earliest pioneers of this dual approach. His performances of the Monteverdi operas along with the Mozart cycle in Zurich stand as landmark events. He is a man who is dedicated to music and humanity."
The RPS Gold Medal was initiated in 1870 to commemorate the centenary of Beethoven's birth and bears the effigy of Beethoven. It is the Society's highest honour and is awarded internationally for the most outstanding musicianship.
RPS Music Awards, May 2012: Jonathan Harvey
Jonathan Harvey receives the RPS Music Award (Large-Scale Composition category) for 'Messages'.
CITATION FROM THE JURY: "With Messages, Jonathan Harvey has created a work of exceptional epic and spiritual quality - a most welcome addition to the repertoire of both professional and amateur choirs. The choir's incantation of ancient angelic names is set within a sound world that is both profoundly rooted and ethereal, a compelling experience for audiences."
A brief look at the 2011 Awards
More info about RPS Music Awards:
http://www.rpsmusicawards.com
The RPS Gold Medal was initiated in 1870 to commemorate the centenary of Beethoven's birth and bears the effigy of Beethoven. It is the Society's highest honour and is awarded internationally for the most outstanding musicianship.
Read more about the Gold Medal here: http://www.royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/gold_medal/
