Sir Colin Davis awarded 2009 Queen’s Medal

The Queen has approved the awarding of Her Majesty’s Medal for Music for 2009 to Sir Colin Davis. He is the fifth winner of the award, which was introduced in 2005 and is made annually to an individual or a group of musicians judged to have had a major influence on the musical life of the nation. The previous winners are Sir Charles Mackerras (2005), Bryn Terfel (2006), Judith Weir (2007) and Kathryn Tickell (2008).

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, master of the Queen’s music, said: ‘It is a great privilege and pleasure to acclaim Sir Colin Davis as the recipient of this year’s Queen’s Medal for Music, not only for his work as a conductor and ambassador of classical music at the highest possible level, particularly his promotion of British music, but also for his involvement with the musical education of young people, making classical music a vital contribution to their development as whole human beings. The whole nation owes him an infinitely huge thank-you for his lifelong unselfish generosity in sharing his musicianship with us all at the broadest and deepest levels.’

Sir Colin commented: ‘I am very grateful and as I receive this medal every musician with whom I have ever worked takes part in this award.’

A public announcement of the award will be made by Sir Nicholas Kenyon on 3 December at the Barbican performance of Verdi’s Otello, in which Sir Colin will conduct the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. He will be presented with the medal by the Queen at an event on 8 December.

Article published on 1 December 2009 at www.rhinegold.co.uk/magazines/classical_music/news/classical_music_news_story.asp?id=352