Gramophone has released the names of the 10 ensembles shortlisted for its Orchestra of the Year Award. Held in partnership with Apple Music, the winning ensemble will be selected by a public vote.
This year marks only the second instalment of the prize, which Gramophone editor-in-chief James Jolly said has been immediate success: “The first-ever Orchestra of the Year Award last year captured the imaginations of more than 20,000 music lovers from all over the world, and propelled the Seattle Symphony to victory.
“This year Gramophone has shortlisted 10 ensembles who have made a huge impact over the last year, invariably thanks to a special dynamism between conductor and players.”
The selected ensembles are Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Staatskapelle Berlin, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, San Francisco Symphony, and Les Siècles.
Voting is open via the Gramophone website until 7 September. In addition, Gramophone has created playlists for each of the orchestras, which are available via Apple Music.
The winner will be announced during the Gramophone Classical Music Awards, held on 16 October at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.