The RPS Awards, partnered by BBC Radio 3, were presented this evening at London’s Dorchester Hotel, a not uncontroversial venue given its owner, the Sultan of Brunei’s imposition of full sharia law in his homeland, resulting in a boycott of the hotel by many in the entertainment and fashion world. Thirteen categories were recognized from over 400 nominations selected by 65 jurors. In the words of the RPS Chairman, John Gilhooly, ‘The Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards stand for integrity, commitment, enquiry and excellence. They are not commercially driven and cut through hype to put the focus on the music itself.’ The category winners were: Daniel Barenboim – RPS Music Award for Conductor Mezzo Joyce DiDonato – RPS Music Award for Singer Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja – RPS Music Award for Instrumentalist Pianist Igor Levit – RPS Music Award for Young Artists George Benjamin – RPS Music Award for Large-Scale Composition Sir Harrison Birtwistle – RPS Music Award for Chamber-Scale Composition Welsh National Opera – RPS Music Award for Opera and Music Theatre Champs Hill – RPS Music Award for Chamber Music and Song Glyndebourne: Imago – RPS Music Award for Learning and Participation Britten-Pears Foundation: Britten 100 – RPS Music Award for Audiences and Engagement Southbank Centre: The Rest is Noise – RPS Music Award for Concerts Series and Festivals Touch Press – RPS Music Award for Creative Communication (for its Beethoven Ninth App)