Gramophone Classical Music Awards Announces 2024 Winners

A range of soloists, ensembles, and labels were recognized for their work over the past year, including violinist Hilary Hahn and pianist Yunchan Lim

Launched in 1977, the Gramophone Classical Music Awards is held every year to recognize the work of exceptional solo artists, ensembles, and record labels that have contributed significantly to the classical recording industry.

Multiple special awards were announced, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was given to conductor Michael Tilson Thomas as he turns 80.

Artist of the Year went to soprano Carolyn Sampson, while Orchestra of the Year went to the Czech Philharmonic, and Label of the Year was given to Opera Rara.

20-year-old pianist Yunchan Lim became Young Artist of the Year, which recognizes extraordinary youthful talent and promise for the future. The Award reflected his rise after winning the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Recording of the year went to Hilary Hahn’s album of Ysaÿe’s Six Sonatas for Violin Solo. Released on Deutsche Grammophon (DG), Ysaÿe’s Six Sonatas for solo violin have become staples in modern violin repertoire for their technical virtuosity and musical expression.

The Recording Category Winners are as follows:

• Early Music Award 2024: Obrecht's Missa Maria zart — Cappella Pratensis / Stratton Bull
• Voice & Ensemble Award 2024: ‘The Great Puccini’ — tenor Jonathan Tetelman, sopranos Federica Lombardi, Marina Monzó, Vida Miknevičiūtė, mezzo Rihab Chaieb, baritone Theodore Platt, bass Önay Köse, PKF Prague Philharmonia / Carlo Rizzi DG (A/23)
• Instrumental Award 2024: Ysaÿe’s Violin Sonatas — violinist Hilary Hahn
• Contemporary Award 2024: Saariaho's Château de l’âme, Maan varjot, Offrande & True Fire — soprano Faustine de Monès, baritone Davóne Tines, cellist Anssi Karttunen, organist Olivier Latry, Chorus of Radio France; French National Orchestra / Olari Elts; Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra / Hannu Lintu, Ernest Martinez-Izquierdo
• Orchestral Award 2024: Vaughan Williams's Job: A Masque for Dancing — Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Andrew Manze
• Opera Award 2024: Janáček’s Katya Kabanova — Jens Larsen, David Butt Philip, Evelyn Herlitzius, Jaroslav Březina, Corinne Winters, Benjamin Hulett, Jarmila Balážová, Michael Mofidian et al; Vienna State Opera Chorus; VPO / Jakub Hrůša
• Chamber Award 2024: Schumann's Piano Quartet & Quintet — violinists Isabelle Faust, Anne Katharina Schreiber violist Antoine Tamestit, cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras, pianist Alexander Melnikov 
• Choral Award 2024: Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius — mezzo Anna Stéphany, tenor Nicky Spence, bass-baritone Andrew Foster-Williams, Gabrieli Roar; Polish National Youth Choir; Gabrieli Consort and Players / Paul McCreesh
• Concerto Award 2024: Britten’s Violin Concerto — violinist Isabelle Faust, violist Boris Faust, pianist Alexander Melnikov / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Jakub Hrůša
• Song Award 2024: Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin — baritone Konstantin Krimmel / pianist Daniel Heide pf
• Piano Award 2024: Chopin's Études — pianist Yunchan Lim
• Concept Album Award 2024: Letter(s) to Erik Satie — pianist Bertrand Chamayou