Welcome to the 2020 BBC Music Magazine Awards.
The BBC Music Magazine Awards celebrate the very best of the classical recording world, from ambitious symphony and opera releases to imaginative and intimate chamber and solo albums.
They're unique, too, as many of the winners are decided by you – from our shortlist announced back in January, thousands of you voted for the recordings that moved, excited and impressed you for their skill, musicianship and artistry.
We had planned to announce the winners at a ceremony at Kings Place in London – but we can instead the results for you here on our website. It's a phenomenal list, each winner showing a surfeit of variety, incredible talent and utmost dedication. And we hope they provide a lifetime of enjoyment for you all.
You can listen to all the winning recordings in our Spotify and Apple Music playlists.
So, as they say, on with the show!
Recording of the Year
Purcell King Arthur Anna Dennis, Mhairi Lawson, Rowan Pierce, Carolyn Sampson (sopranos), Jeremy Budd (high tenor), James Way (tenor), Roderick Williams (baritone), Ashley Riches (bass-baritone) Gabrieli Players, Paul McCreesh Signum SIGCD589
Orchestral Award
Korngold Symphony in F sharp; Theme and Variations; Straussiana Sinfonia of London/John Wilson Chandos CHSA5220
Concerto Award
Dvořák * Martinů Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor; Martinů: Piano Concerto No. 4, 'Incantation' Ivo Kahánek (piano); Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Jakub Hrůša Supraphon SU 4236-2
Opera Award
Purcell King Arthur Anna Dennis, Mhairi Lawson, Rowan Pierce, Carolyn Sampson (sopranos), Jeremy Budd (high tenor), James Way (tenor), Roderick Williams (baritone), Ashley Riches (bass-baritone) Gabrieli Players, Paul McCreesh Signum SIGCD589
Chamber Award
Bartók * Veress Veress: String Trio; Bartók: Piano Quintet in C major Barnabás Kelemen, Vilde Frang (violins), Katalin Kokas (viola), Nicolas Altstaedt (violoncello), Alexander Lonquich (piano) Alpha Classics ALPHA 458
Choral Award
Gabriel Jackson The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ Emma Tring (soprano), Guy Cutting (tenor); Choir of Merton College, Oxford, Oxford Contemporary Sinfonia/Benjamin Nicholas Delphian DCD34222
Vocal Award
Janácek The Diary of One Who Disappeared; Nursery rhymes; Moravian folk poetry in songs Nicky Spence (tenor), Julius Drake (piano); Václava Housková (mezzo) et al; Victoria Samek (clarinet) Hyperion CDA 68282
Instrumental Award
Andrey Gugnin Shostakovich 24 Preludes, Op. 34; Piano Sonatas Nos 1 & 2 Andrey Gugnin (piano) Hyperion CDA68267
Premiere Award
Edmund Finnis The Air, Turning Eloisa-Fleur Thorn (violin), Mark Simpson (clarinet), Víkingur Ólafsson (piano), Benjamin Bellman (violin) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, London Contemporary Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Ilan Volkov, Richard Baker, Andrew Gourlay NMC NMCD249
DVD Award
Barber Vanessa Emma Bell, Virginie Verrez, Edgaras Montvidas, Rosalind Plowright, Donnie Ray Albert (voices); The Glyndebourne Chorus; London Philharmonic Orchestra/Jakub Hrůša; Dir. Keith Warner (Glyndebourne, 2018) Opus Arte DVD: OA1289D; Blu-ray: OABD7258D
Newcomer Award
Elicia Silverstein The Dreams and Fables I Fashion Works by Bach, Berio, Biber, Pandolfi and Sciarrino Elicia Silverstein (violin), Michele Pasotti (lute), Mauro Valli (cello) Rubicon RCD1031
BBC Music Magazine Personality of the Year
Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton
Listen to the winning recordings on our Spotify and Apple Music playlists.
