The Ivors Classical Awards have this evening named the winners of their 2024 Ivor Novello Awards, celebrating classical music and sound art across eight categories.
Hosted by Radio 3's Kate Molleson and Tom Service at BFI Southbank in London, the ceremony will be broadcast by BBC Radio 3 in a special edition of the New Music Show on Saturday 16 November, also available on BBC Sounds.
Composer Errollyn Wallen was inducted as the 28th Fellow of The Ivors Academy, recognising her outstanding contribution to contemporary classical music with a catalogue of 22 operas and a range of orchestral, chamber and vocal compositions. Other Academy Fellows include: James MacMillan, John Rutter, Judith Weir, Julian Joseph, Sting, Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen.
The Ivors Classical Awards 2024 – Category Winners
The 2024 category winners are:
BEST CHAMBER ENSEMBLE COMPOSITION
Celebrating classical works composed for six to eighteen instruments, and for one instrument or voice per part.
Tomb! composed by Laurence Osborn
For strings, percussion and piano. Commissioned by Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Cheltenham Festival and Kings Place and performed by 12 Ensemble and GBSR Duo on 19 May 2023 at St Andrew's Hall, Norwich.
BEST CHORAL COMPOSITION
Celebrating classical works specifically composed for voices; either a capella or accompanied.
The City, Full Of People composed by Cassandra Miller
For mixed choir of 16 singers. Commissioned by Éamonn Quinn of Louth Contemporary Music Society. The commission was jointly funded by Louth Contemporary Music Society and the Robert D. Bielecki Foundation. Performed by the National Chamber Choir Ireland, conducted by Paul Hillier, on 27 October 2023 at King's College Chapel, Aberdeen as part of Aberdeen Sound Festival. Published in the UK by Faber Music.
BEST COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATION COMPOSITION in association with ABRSM
Celebrating works composed for voluntary, amateur or youth performers and/or community engagement.
A Children's Guide to Anarchy (An Easterhouse Children's Manifesto) composed by Brian Irvine
For ensemble and singers. A collection of seven musical animated video posters, exploring ideas of personal autonomy, kindness and human connectivity from a child's perspective. Libretto by John McIlduff and children of Oakwood Primary School, Easterhouse. Commissioned by Dumbworld and Red Note Ensemble and performed by Red Note Ensemble and Oakwood Primary School on 14 June 2023 at Platform Art Centre, Glasgow.
BEST LARGE ENSEMBLE COMPOSITION
Celebrating classical works composed for up to thirty-six players.
The Horse composed by Matthew Herbert
For orchestra, horse skeleton and electronics. Performed by Matthew Herbert, Momoko Gill, Hugh Jones, Eoin McCaul, Gracel Delos and the London Contemporary Orchestra on 18 August 2023 at Queen's Hall, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh International Festival. Published in the UK by Bucks Music Group.
BEST ORCHESTRAL COMPOSITION in association with Dorico
Celebrating large symphonic works, including works for choir and orchestra.
Horn Concerto composed by Gavin Higgins
For horn and orchestra. Commissioned by BBC Radio 3 and Philharmonie Zuidnederland. Performed by Ben Goldscheider and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Jaime Martin, on 14 January 2024 at Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff. Published in the UK by Nimbus Music Publishing.
BEST SMALL CHAMBER COMPOSITION
Celebrating classical works composed for one to five instruments, and for one instrument or voice per part.
The Mouth composed by Rebecca Saunders
For soprano and tape. Commissioned by Annie Claire for ManiFeste Festival, Paris. Performed by Juliet Fraser and Newton Armstrong on 21 June 2023 at Britten Studio, Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh. Published in the UK by Edition Peters.
BEST SOUND ART
Celebrating distinctive sound compositions that exist in hybrid relation to other artforms, environments or situations.
Each Tiny Drop by Dan Jones
Sonic accompaniment to Risham Syed’s interactive water ritual on the banks of the River Medlock commissioned by Factory International to open the Manchester International Festival and celebrate connections between Manchester and Pakistan
BEST STAGE WORK COMPOSITION
Celebrating works composed for the stage, including opera, dance and musical theatre.
Woman at Point Zero composed by Bushra El-Turk
Opera for two voices, ancient folk instruments and pre-recorded audio samples. Commissioned by LOD Muziektheater. Libretto by Stacy Hardy. Performed by Dima Orsho, Carla Nahadi Babelegoto and ensemble ZAR on 28 June 2023 at Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House, London.
The Ivors Classical Awards 2024 – Special Awards
The Ivors also presented two further 2024 awards to:
INNOVATION AWARD in association with the MUSICIANS’ UNION
This Ivor Novello Award celebrates an innovative approach to composition and the impact that music has had on fellow composers. Previous recipients include Matthew Herbert, Shiva Feshareki, Anna Meredith, Talvin Singh, Jennifer Walshe, Cleveland Watkiss and Trevor Wishart.
Presented to Gavin Bryars
OUTSTANDING WORKS COLLECTION
This Ivor Novello Award recognises the composer of a consistently exceptional body of classical compositions. Previous recipients include Sir George Benjamin, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Alexander Goehr, Erika Fox, Cecilia McDowall, Thea Musgrave, Sir John Tavener, Mark Anthony Turnage and Dame Judith Weir.
Presented to Roxanna Panufnik
About The Ivors Classical Awards
For over 20 years, the Ivors have recognised the achievements of some the UK’s most talented composers including Sally Beamish, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Tansy Davies, Jonny Greenwood, Anna Meredith, Sir John Tavener, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Roderick Williams and many more.
Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy, commented: 'It’s an honour to see such remarkable talent recognised at The Ivors Classical Awards. This evening’s winners and nominees reflect the dynamic, evolving world of classical composition and sound art. We are proud to support composers who lead with passion and a profound dedication to connecting, challenging and inspiring us.'