The Midem Classical Awards Winners 2008

Cannes, 31 January 2008 - The fourth edition of the MIDEM Classical Awards, which took place yesterday evening in Cannes as part of MIDEM (International Music Market, 27-31 January), awarded prizes to 12 CDs and three DVDs recorded in 2007 from 17 international labels.

Several major figures from the international music scene participated in the gala evening. Of special note was the legendary German mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, honorary patron of MIDEM Classic 2008, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award to a standing ovation given by the audience. David Zinman, the renowned American conductor, best known for his prolific discography which includes the complete symphonies of Beethoven, was presented with the Artist of the Year Award. Robert von Bahr, founder of the Swedish label Bis Records, was awarded the Label of the Year Award, in recognition of Bis' exceptional catalogue of Scandinavian and contemporary music.

Hosted by reputed classic journalists Genie Godula and James Jolly in the Debussy Theatre of the Palais des Festivals, the fourth edition of the MIDEM Classical Awards staged a prestigious and diverse programme of works.

The Orchestre Rˆ©gional Provence Alpes Cˆ¥te d'Azur, conducted by Philippe Bender, accompanied the young Czech soprano Lˆ‚via ˆÅghovˆ°, winner of the best Opera Recording Award for Kral a Uhlir by Antonin Dvorak, in Rusalka's Aria also by Dvorak and also the Canadian violinist Corey Cerovsek, winner of the Best Chamber Music Award for his recordings of Beethoven's sonatas released by Claves, in an interpretation of the Polonaise de Concert for violin and orchestra in D major by Hendryk Wieniawski.

Polish violinist Patrycja Pietkutowska, accompanied by pianist Janusz Olejniczak, won the Contemporary Music category for their recorded works of composer Krzysztof Penderecki released by Dux, the duo charmed the audience with their interpretation of the Miniatures by the same composer; and English Navarra Quartet, chosen by the jury as Outstanding Young Artist, gave an impressive performance of the first movement of Felix Mendelssohn's String Quartet in A minor.

The prestigious Jury Nomination prize was awarded to the recording of Vin Herbˆ© by Franck Martin released on Harmonia Mundi, and the Recording of the Year award went to the complete Beethoven Sonatas by Daniel Barenboim released on DVD by EMI.

Winners of the 2008 MIDEM Classical Awards

Early Music
Christophorus Columbus
Paraisos Perdidos
Hespˆ®rion XXI, de La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Figueras, Savall
Alia Vox AVSA 9850 A+B

Baroque Music
Handel
Messiah (Dublin Version)
Hamilton, Gil, Wilkinson, Mulroy, Dunedin Consort & Players, Butt
Linn Records CKD 285

Vocal Recitals
Heroes: Vivaldi - Opera Arias
Jaroussky, Ensermble Matheus, Spinosi
Virgin Classics 9463634142

Choral Works
Schˆneberg
Gurrelieder
Diener, Naef, Smith, Siegel, Lukas, Schmidt, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, MDR Rundfunkchor Leipzig, SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg Gielen
Hˆ§nssler Classic SACD 93.198

Solo Instrument
Scriabin
ˆâtude, Sonata No. 2, Four Mazurkas, Nuances, Poˆ®me, etc.
Sudbin
BIS SACD1568

Chamber Music
Beethoven
The 10 Violon Sonatas
Cerovsek, Jumppanen
Claves CD 50 2610/12

Opera
Dvorak
Krˆ°l a Uhlˆ‚r
Jenis, Mikulas, Breedt, Aghova, Lehotsky, Schˆ§fer, Prager Kammerchor,
WDR Rundfunkchor Kˆln, WDR Sinfonieorchester Kˆln, Albrecht.
Orfeo C 678062 H

Contemporary Music
Penderecki
Capriccio, De Natura Sonoris II, Piano Concerto I
Piekutowska, Bilinska, The National Polish Radio Symphony
Orchestra Katowice, Penderecki
Dux 0582

Historical
Schumann
Das Paradies und die Peri
Price, Miljakovic, Howells, Wright, Hollweg, Gaifa, Brendel,
Amis el Hage, Coro e Orchestra Sinfonica RAI di Roma, Giulini
Arts Music 43076-2

Concertos
Sibelius / Lindberg
Violin Concertos
Batiashvili, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Oramo
Sony Classical 886971293623

Symphonic Works
Bartˆ„k: Kossuth, The Wooden Prince
Hungarian National Philharmonic, Kocsis
Hungaroton HSACD 32502

First Recording
Britten on Film: Coal Face, Night Mail, Rossini Suite,
The King's Stamp, etc.
Beale, Carewe, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, City of
Birmingham Symphony Chorus, Choir of King Edward's School, Brabbins
NMC D 112

DVD: Opera/Ballet
Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
Westbroek, Ventris, Wilson, Vaneev, Poulson, Ludha, Kravets, Chorus of
De Nederlandse Opera, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Jansons, Kusej
Opus Arte OA 0965 D

DVD : Concerts
Barenboim on Beethoven
The Complete Piano Sonatas
Barenboim
EMI Classics 0946 3 68993 9 8

DVD: Documentaries
Jacqueline du Prˆ©: A Celebration
Du Prˆ©, Zukerman, Perlman, Mehta, Barenboim, Fischer-Dieskau,
Ashkenazy, Barbirolli, etc.
Allegro Films A 07CN D

Classical Download
Mozart
Piano Concertos Nos. 17 KV 453 and 18 KV 456,
Symphony No. 33 KV 319
Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Aimard
DG Concerts D/D/D/4776436 /G/HD

Jury Nomination
Martin
Le Vin herbˆ©
Piau, Davislim, Bˆhnert, Wiedemann, Bartsch, Burhmann, Hartmann,
RIAS Kammerschor, Scharoun-Ensemble, Reuss
Harmonia Mundi HMC 901935.36

Label of the Year
Bis Records, Sweden

Outstanding Young Artist
Navarra Quartet

Artist of the Year
David Zinman

Lifetime Achievement Award
Christa Ludwig

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