Pictured: Abel Selaocoe and Ryan Bancroft (left) and The Hermes Experiment (right). Credit: Twitter @kate_caro and @TheHExperiment
“Music will help us through anything, so long as we help the musicians who make it,” says RPS Chief Executive, James Murphy.
Last night, the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2021 announced its winners in a glittering live ceremony at London’s iconic Wigmore Hall.
Hosted by BBC Radio 3’s Katie Derham and RPS Chief Executive, James Murphy, it was surely a memorable event for attendees following almost two years of music venue closures during the coronavirus pandemic.
James Murphy, said: “Once again, in times of struggle, our eyes and ears have been opened to the essential role that music plays. Musicians have shown us what role they can play in fortifying the nation.
“Everyone we applaud tonight is representative of countless more creative forces across the country, many onstage working their magic as we stand here. Here’s to that bright constellation of music-makers.”
English National Opera’s Breathe scheme wins the RPS Award for Impact. Credit: Twitter @E_N_O
Supported by ABRSM, English National Opera’s inspiring scheme, Breathe, took home the prize for the Impact category – with Orchestras for All (OFA) and Live Music Now both making it as proud finalists.
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Led by ENO Director of Baylis, Jenny Mollica, and delivered in close collaboration with Imperial College Healthcare, the online breathing and wellbeing programme was developed to help recovering Covid-19 patients struggling with breathlessness and associated anxiety through singing.
While speaking about OFA’s efforts during the pandemic, James Murphy told audiences that the charity had become something of a ‘national treasure’ thanks to its three powerful programmes and culture of inclusive music-making.
Other winners on the night included Scottish violinist, Nicola Benedetti, who was presented with the Instrumentalist Award for the ‘outstanding quality and scope’ of her performances, presented digitally or for a live audience.
Members of the Orchestras for All team celebrate at the RPS Awards 2021 after being shortlisted for Impact.
Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason took to the stage to accept the Storytelling award for her book, House of Music – a powerful and heartrending memoir detailing the remarkable journey of her musical family in a country divided by class and race.
During her speech, the mother of seven said: “House of Music is many things, but it is at its heart about gratitude.”
Meanwhile, Hilary Campbell and the Bristol Choral Society made it to the top spot for the newly introduced Inspiration Award – as voted for by the public – and BBC National Orchestra of Wales’ principal conductor, Ryan Bancroft, was commended for his ‘electrifying concerts’ with the RPS Conductor award.
Chamber ensemble The Hermes Experiment perform Piazzolla at the RPS Awards. Credit: @TheHExperiment
Tribute was also paid to star mezzo-soprano, Jennifer Johnston, with the RPS award for Singer, Dani Howard’s Trombone Concerto won Large-Scale Composition, and chamber ensemble, The Hermes Experiment, collected the prize for Young Artist before treating audiences to their dazzling arrangement of Piazzolla’s ‘Concert of d’aujourd’hui’ from Histoire du Tango.
Other highlights included an energetic opening performance of ‘Ka Bohaleng’ from South African cellist, Abel Selaocoe, and a rousing recital from bassoonist Ashby Mayes – who received financial assistance from RPS in 2018 for buying his bassoon and is now an undergraduate student at the Royal College of Music.
On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, we would like to thank the Royal Philharmonic Society and Wigmore Hall for a wonderful evening of music and togetherness, and extend our congratulations to all fellow nominees and worthy winners at this year’s Awards.
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