Boulez crowned conductor of the year

Royal Philharmonic Society recognises Pierre Boulez

French avant garde veteran Pierre Boulez was named conductor of the year at the Royal Philharmonic Society awards.

He received the prize for his concerts with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and work with young conductors and musicians.

A series of individuals and ensembles in contemporary classical music were rewarded for innovation and excellence at the annual awards, which took place at the Dorchester Hotel.

Sir Peter Hall gave the keynote speech at the event, at which Dame Janet Baker gave away the awards.

Two contemporary compositions won awards: Wolfgang Rhim's Jagden und Formen and György Ligeti's Síppal, Dobbal, Nádihegedüvel.

Multi-national

The LSO received the award for the Large Ensemble, along with its regular conductor Sir Colin Davis.

LSO conductor Sir Colin Davis

The award for Chamber Ensemble went to the Belcea Quartet, a multi-national group with members from Romania, Poland and Scotland.

A new award, created in partnership with Classic FM for audience development, went to Glyndebourne opera house for its touring programmes and opera for young people.

Musicians who received awards were pianist Piotr Anderszewski for his work at the Cheltenham 2000 festival, and singer Gerald Finlay, for his work in Mark Anthony Turnage's opera The Silver Tassie.

Winning in the category of concert series was Towards The Millennium, a 10-year project inspired by Sir Simon Rattle and the late Michael Vyner.

The Royal Philharmonic Society awards were set up in 1989 to recognise outstanding contributions in the field of music within the UK.

The Royal Philharmonic Society was founded in 1813 and is the second-oldest concert society in the world.