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Reuters/Billboard, 19 October
2007 |
By Anastasia Tsioulcas |
Gramophone Awards tap into fountain of youth
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NEW YORK (Billboard) - There were a few
surprises among the winners at this year's Classic FM Gramophone Awards,
which take place in early October in London and are arguably the most
prestigious honors in the classical music industry.
While several industry veterans were among the winners, a bevy of twenty-
and thirtysomethings won as well -- and their prizes will certainly help amp
up their international profiles.
For starters, there was violinist Julia Fischer's "people's choice" prize as
artist of the year. Another winner poised to become better known is Jonas
Kaufmann, whose album of Richard Strauss lieder on Harmonia Mundi with
pianist Helmut Deutsch won the prize for solo vocal album. The 38-year-old
German tenor just signed an exclusive recording contract with Decca; his
first album for the label, which will include arias by Verdi, Gounod, Bizet,
Wagner and Puccini, is anticipated for release next spring.
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and its youthful conductor,
31-year-old Vasily Petrenko, picked up two wins between them: the Classic FM
Magazine Award for audience innovation and the young artist award,
respectively.
The Liverpool Phil has been earning a fair amount of ink for a live concert
it gave in the online world of Second Life in September. According to the
orchestra, 9 million Second Life denizens watched the performance live on
Second Life's own cable network, and the broadcast repeats every couple of
hours through November. (It's available on demand to Second Life
"residents.") Seeing the Liverpool Phil's success, it seems likely that
other orchestras and classical performers will follow the orchestra's lead
into virtual reality.
Special recognition went to conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar
Youth Orchestra of Venezuela. Given jointly by classical WQXR New York and
Gramophone magazine, this award acknowledged the worldwide influence these
players have had on listeners and the life-changing impact the program, also
known as El Sistema, has had on its own musicians. Since its founding 30
years ago, El Sistema has helped bring music to underprivileged and at-risk
players and listeners throughout their home nation, and inspired similar
programs in other countries.
For the complete list of award winners, go to gramophone.co.uk.
(Anastasia Tsioulcas is a Gramophone contributor, but is not directly
connected to the Classic FM Gramophone Awards and did not vote for them.)
Reuters/Billboard |
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