Linn Records Nominated for Six International Classical Music Awards

2010 has been a very successful year for Linn Records.  On the back of being named ‘Label of the Year' at the 2010 Gramophone Awards, we are extremely proud to announce that six of our recordings have been nominated for the 2011 International Classical Music Awards.

Phantasm's debut recording on Linn Records, ‘John Ward: Consort music for five and six viols', explores the music of composer John Ward. This recording has been extremely successful since its release.  In addition to this nomination, it has also been a finalist for the Classic FM Gramophone Awards 2010's Early Music Album of the Year and was BBC Music Magazine's choice for chamber music.

‘Carmina Celtica' by Canty is a collection of medieval and contemporary spiritual songs recorded for the very first time.  Canty isn't new to world premiere recordings- they have a history of giving first live performances of reconstructed medieval music to great acclaim. ‘Carmina Celtica' is the perfect blend of old and new spiritual music and original works by Canty and works commissioned specifically for Canty.  Gramophone has called this recording "gorgeously detailed and almost luminious...jaw-dropping."

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra can add this 2011 ICMA nomination to their long list of achievements.  Their ‘Mozart Symphonies 29, 31 (Paris), 32, 35 (Haffner) & 36 (Linz)' is a beautiful collection of Mozart's best symphonies. BBC Online described "Each of the disc's five symphonies [as] a gem in its own right...The glorious results are self-recommending." Already, this album has been recommended by Gramophone in addition to being a finalist for the Classic FM Gramophone Awards 2010's Orchestral Album of the Year and has achieved the International Record Review's ‘IRR Outstanding' Award and Scherzo's ‘Excepcional' Award.  This is a recording not to be missed!

The fantastic period instrument orchestra, The Avison Ensemble has recorded Handel's ‘Concerti Grossi Opus 6'.  This recording has been as well received today as it was during the heyday of the concerto grosso in Britain during the eighteenth century.  The Herald captured the heart of the ensemble when they said the recording was "bursting with vigour, wit, style, refinement and some juicily characterful playing".

It's of no surprise that the Dunedin Consort's recording of J.S. Bach's ‘Mass in B Minor' was one of the nominated albums for the ICMA.  This excellent ensemble always performs to the highest standards and strives to maintain the integrity and authenticity of each work performed.  The Sunday Times described this new recording as "powerful and beautifully shaped".  The Dunedin Consort's performance of this epic mass by Bach is a definitive recording for any music lover.

Up and coming flautist Katherine Byran's made her Linn Records debut with her recording ‘Liebermann Flute Concerto and works by Hüe, Poulenc & Nielsen'.  Her recording of these 20th century concertos is dynamic, vivid and dazzling.  "Bryan's natural musicality breathes an alluring quality into every performance" according to The Scotsman.  These virtuosic performances demand to be heard.

The results of the 2011 International Classical Music Awards will be announced at the Midem Conference in Cannes, France in January 2011.  Congratulations and best of luck to all nominees!