The Ivors Classical Awards 2024 took place in London last night (12 November) — you can see the full list of winners below.
This year's ceremony, which was supported by PRS for Music, celebrated the best new classical music and sound art by British, Irish and UK resident composers.
11 Ivor Novello Awards were given out during the ceremony at the BFI Southbank, with Errollyn Wallen receiving a Fellowship of The Ivors Academy — the highest honour the Academy bestows.
The composer and songwriter has now been inducted as the Ivors’ 28th Fellow, joining a prestigious list that includes John Adams, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Judith Weir, John Rutter, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Armatrading and Julian Joseph.
You can see the full list of winners from The Ivors Classical Awards 2024 below.
1. Best Chamber Ensemble Composition
TOMB! composed by Laurence Osborn for strings, percussion and piano, 20 minutes
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.
2. Best Choral Composition
The City, Full Of People composed by Cassandra Miller for mixed choir of 16 singers, 16 minutes
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.
3. Best Community and Participation Composition in association with ABRSM
A Children's Guide To Anarchy (An Easterhouse Children's Manifesto) composed by Brian Irvine for ensemble and singers, 19 minutes
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.
4. Best Large Ensemble Composition
The Horse composed by Matthew Herbert for orchestra, horse skeleton and electronics, 80 minutes
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.
5. Best Orchestral Composition in association with Dorico
Horn Concerto composed by Gavin Higgins for horn and orchestra, 30 minutes
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.
6. Best Small Chamber Composition
The Mouth composed by Rebecca Saunders for soprano and tape, 20 minutes
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.
7. Best Sound Art
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.
8. Best Stage Work Composition
Woman At Point Zero composed by Bushra El-Turk. Opera for two voices, ancient folk instruments and pre-recorded audio samples, 60 minutes
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.
9. Innovation Award in Association with the Musicians’ Union
Gavin Bryars
10. Outstanding Works Collection
Roxanna Panufnik
11. Academy Fellowship
Errollyn Wallen
Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy, said of this year’s ceremony: ‘The Ivors Classical Awards celebrate extraordinary accomplishments in contemporary classical music and sound art. Tonight, we honour the composers who are shaping our musical landscape. These awards underscore the Academy's commitment to championing true originality and craft.’
Andrea Czapary Martin, CEO, PRS for Music, added: ‘The Ivors Classical Awards play a crucial role in championing the creativity of composition, inspiring both recognition of historical influences and fostering the growth of future classical innovations. Winning, or being nominated for an Ivor Novello, is a prestigious honour that acknowledges a composer’s contribution to our industry and the wider culture and arts sector.’
Featured image photo credit: Hogan Media / Shutterstock
