10th symphony wins TV award

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, who wrote his tenth symphony while in hospital with leukaemia, has been awarded the South Bank Sky Arts Award by an esoteric television channel.

press release:

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ Symphony No 10, which was commissioned and given its world premiere by the London Symphony Orchestra and conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, has won a prestigious South Bank Sky Arts award in the Classical category. The award was presented to Sir Peter today by violinist Tasmin Little at a ceremony at London’s Savoy Hotel, hosted by Melvyn Bragg.

Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director of the London Symphony Orchestra said: “Completing a 10th Symphony has beaten some of music’s greatest composers. Not so with Max, who courageously battled leukaemia to finish his 10th Symphony from his hospital bed, and recovered sufficiently to attend the premiere. This was a work that had to be written. The LSO is thrilled to have commissioned the 10th Symphony, which gave the orchestra, the London Symphony Chorus and LSO Choral Director Simon Halsey, baritone Markus Butter, and conductor Sir Antonio Pappano a challenge that was hugely rewarding, as witnessed by all those present at the premiere. Thank you Max for a great work.”