Classical
Brit Awards 2003
The
Classical Brits, now in its fourth year, played host to
some of the world's most renowned artists as well as an
equally large handful of acts that veered decidedly towards
the pop end of the spectrum.
Scantily
clad Bond opened the evening's events with a set that
proved more memorable in terms of fashion faux pas than
anything else. Amongst other artists present was former
pop star Mylene Klass, who was keeping a lid on the contents
of her new album due out in October. Klass, former band
member of Hear'Say said she had received "positive" reactions
to her transition from the world of pop to the classical
arena, and cited the pop influences present as helping
classical music to "appeal to a younger audience". Sting
also made an appearance on stage, supporting his long-term
guitarist Dominic Miller who was there to perform tracks
from his own solo album, Shapes.
When
it came to the awards it was the more traditional artists
who stole the show. Andrea Bocelli scooped two awards
for Male Artist and Album of the Year, and gave a moving
performance along side Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel. Cecila
Bartoli received this year's Outstanding Contribution
to Music Award and repaid listeners with a sprightly performance
of "Anchil mar par che sommerga".
Other winners of the night were Renee Fleming for Female
Artist of the Year, Avro Part for the Contemporary music
award and Sir Simon Rattle for Ensemble of the Year with
his recording of Mahler's 5th Symphony with the Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra. There was also an injection of
fresh young talent with Chloe Hanslip winning the Young
British Classical Performer category at the modest age
of fifteen. Other young talents performed at the ceremony,
including Aled Jones and up-and-coming Australian singer,
Hayley Westenra.
Although the glamour of awards ceremonies always attracts
attention, there is increasing frustration throughout
the industry as substance is all too often substituted
for sparkle. As endeavours to shed the genre's pompous
and inaccessible image attract accusations of dumbing-down,
the Classical Brits continues to receive mixed reviews.
Click here to view the full list of nominees
and award winners.
Nominees
& Winners
Album
of the Year:
Aled Jones - Aled
Andrea Bocelli - Sentimento (Winner)
Sir Simon Rattle & BPO - Mahler's 5th Symphony
Bond - Shine
Lesley Garrett - The Singer
Operababes - Beyond Imagination
RPO & Tolga Kashif - The Queen Symphony
RSNO/Rutter/Lloyd-Jones - Holst/The Planets
Russell Watson - Reprise
The Planets - Classical Graffiti
Contemporary
Music Award
Avro Part - Orient & Occident (Winner)
Howard Shore - Teh Lord of the Rings
John Williams - Star Wars/Harry Potter
Female
Artist of the Year
Chloe Hanslip
Magdelana Kozena
Renee Fleming (Winner)
Male
Artist of the Year
Andrea Bocelli (Winner)
Sir Colin Davis
Sir Simon Rattle
Ensemble/Orchestral
Album of the Year
BPO & Sir Simon Rattle - Mahler's 5th Symphony
LSO/Rostropovich - Shostakovich, Symphony No. 11
RSNO/Rutter/Lloyd-Jones - Holst/The Planets
Young
British Classical Performer
Chloe Hanslip
Colin Currie
Paul Lewis
Critics
Award
BPO & Sir Simon Rattle - Mahler's 5th Symphony
Murray Perahia - Chopin Etudes Opus 10, Opus 25
Musica Antiqua Koln/Goebel - Bachiana
Outstanding
Contribution to Music Award
Cecilia Bartoli
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