The Classical BRIT Awards

The BPI, representing UK record companies, is delighted to announce that legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock will team up with Manchurian pianist Lang Lang for a special performance to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of The Classical BRIT Awards with NS&I. Completing the line-up for this year are Female Artist of the Year nominee, trumpeter Alison Balsom and, making his debut Classical BRIT Awards appearance, tenor Jonas Kaufmann.

Taking place at the Royal Albert Hall on 14 May, this very special evening, celebrating ten glorious years of The Classical BRIT Awards will be attended by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

For the first time at The Classical BRIT Awards two grand pianos will take centre stage as the celebrated jazz musician and experimentalist Herbie Hancock joins forces with Chinese sensation Lang Lang. Featuring on the NS&I Album of the Year nominated Music Of The Spheres by Mike Oldfield, Lang Lang returns to The Classical BRITs for the second time following his performance at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This collaboration with Herbie Hancock will be the first on UK soil before they return to the Royal Albert Hall for an evening together on July 11.

One of the great success stories of The Classical BRIT Awards, over the last few years, is female trumpeter Alison Balsom. The only instrumentalist nominated this year for Female Artist of the Year, Alison returns to The Classical BRITs for the second time, her first since being awarded Young British Classical Performer in 2006. The only female trumpeter with an exclusive major label deal, Alison Balsom has opened up the appeal of trumpet music through broadening the repertoire and making accessible classical recordings that show the instrument in a more versatile and less masculine light.

Making his Classical BRIT Awards debut is acclaimed Munich born tenor, Jonas Kaufmann. Internationally recognised as one of the most important artists in the classical world today, he made sensational debuts in many of the world’s leading opera houses. Following the release of his internationally best-selling, debut solo album Romantic Arias from Decca, Jonas Kaufmann will release an album of German Operatic Arias and Scenes.

Completing the 10th Anniversary celebrations, it has been confirmed that HRH The Duchess of Cornwall will be attending the event for the second time. In addition to attending, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall will present the Lifetime Achievement award to José Carreras. HRH is the patron of the London Chamber Orchestra (LCO), who will be accompanying all performers at the event.

Chairman of The Classical BRIT Awards Committee, Decca Managing Director, Dickon Stainer said: "We are particularly thrilled that HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, who is the patron of the London Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Christopher Warren-Green, has agreed to attend The Classical BRIT Awards in this, the 10th Anniversary show. It promises to be a very special evening"

This year The Classical BRITs is particularly delighted to partner with the Mail On Sunday to produce a commemorative 10th Anniversary CD. This will be available to all readers on Sunday 17th May.

2009 marks the 6th consecutive year with sponsors NS&I [who’s award winning site nsandi.com helps de-mystify where savers should consider investing their savings]

The full performers line-up for The Classical BRIT Awards 2009 with NS&I includes José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Katherine Jenkins, Jonas Kaufmann, Faryl Smith, The Priests, Alison Balsom, Herbie Hancock and Lang Lang.

Hosted by Myleene Klass, The Classical BRIT Awards 2009 with NS&I will be broadcast on ITV1 on Tuesday 19 May at 10:35pm and repeated on ITV3 on Sunday 24 May at 7:45pm.

In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award there will be seven awards handed out on the night as follows:
N S & I Album of the Year
Male Artist of the year
Female artist of the year
Composer of the Year
Young British Classical Performer or Group
Soundtrack of the year
Critics’ Award

The Classical BRIT Awards were established in 2000 to recognise the outstanding achievements of classical musicians and the growth of classical music sales in the UK. The awards have proved their vital importance to the UK music industry with the huge impact the event has on record sales of those artists performing, winning and nominated.

2009 marks the 6th consecutive year with sponsors NS&I.

Tim Mack, Head of Marketing and Communications at NS&I says: “We are delighted to be actively supporting The Classical BRIT awards yet again this year. NS&I has a long standing association with classical music. Our involvement in The Classical BRIT Awards builds on this association and fits very well with the interests of many of our customers.”

Tickets are available from the Royal Albert Hall box office on 020 7589 8212. Ticket prices remain the same as for the past five years and range from the most reasonable show only ticket at £20 to £250 for a full dinner/show experience.

Last edited: Wednesday, 6 May 2009