The Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2025 have made history! In a ceremony filled with emotion and talent, the prestigious awards honored the remarkable Sir Simon Rattle, marking a significant milestone. But here's where it gets interesting: Rattle has become the first musician to win the Artist of the Year award twice, a testament to his enduring excellence.
The award celebrates Rattle's exceptional work with multiple orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, where he holds the esteemed position of conductor emeritus. His collaborations with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the Czech Philharmonic have been nothing short of extraordinary. And let's not forget his extensive recordings, spanning from the Baroque to contemporary repertoire, which have captivated audiences worldwide.
In a heartwarming video acceptance speech, Rattle expressed his deep gratitude, recalling his childhood days of collecting pocket money to buy Gramophone magazine. Fellow musicians, including Barbara Hannigan and composer John Adams, showered him with praise, highlighting his exceptional talent and genuine character. Adams' words were particularly moving, acknowledging Rattle's ability to inspire and his deep care for music.
The night also witnessed the crowning of the French conductor Raphaël Pichon and his ensemble Pygmalion as the Recording of the Year. Their interpretation of JS Bach's Mass in B Minor on the Harmonia Mundi label was hailed as a performance that 'radiates devotional warmth.' This award solidifies Pichon's place among the greats.
The young Spanish violinist María Dueñas, just 22 years old, was named Young Artist of the Year and won the instrumental category for her album of Paganini's 24 Caprices. Her talent is undeniable, having already won the Menuhin competition in 2021.
Two world premiere recordings took home awards, one being Sir George Benjamin's contemporary opera, Picture a Day Like This, recorded with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. But the real surprise was the early music recording award, which went to a collection of 15th-century music from Cracow, known as the Krasiński Codex. This music, dating back 600 years, survived a Nazi arson attack in 1944 and was saved by a musicologist working for the Third Reich. Its preservation offers a rare glimpse into the musical world of the late Middle Ages.
Baritone Sir Thomas Allen received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Gerald Finley, for his remarkable five-decade career in opera. Allen's humility shone through as he accepted the award, feeling like a 'tiny prawn in a sea of greatness' compared to the legends he's worked with. His final stage appearance in Glyndebourne's The Merry Widow last summer marked the end of an era.
The Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2025 have once again showcased the very best in classical music, honoring both established masters and rising stars. These awards remind us of the power of music to inspire, unite, and transcend time. And this is the part most people miss—the awards not only celebrate the artists but also the rich history and cultural significance that classical music embodies.
