The distinguished British composer, conductor, and pianist Thomas Adès has been honoured with the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Gold Medal, regarded as the highest accolade by the Society. The presentation took place onstage at the BBC Proms on Thursday, 5 September, where Adès’ new orchestral work, Aquifer, had its UK premiere, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. The event, broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, saw the medal handed over by Rattle, a former recipient himself, who was awarded the RPS Gold Medal in 2000.
History and Significance of the RPS Gold Medal
Established in 1871, the RPS Gold Medal is distinguished for outstanding musicianship. It is awarded to prominent musicians globally and features Beethoven’s likeness, symbolising the Society’s long-standing link with the composer, as the RPS had commissioned his Ninth Symphony. The selections for the medal are made by the RPS Board and Council and then verified by RPS Members.
Prior eminent recipients include composers and musicians such as Brahms, Elgar, Sibelius, Stravinsky, Britten, Bernstein, Messiaen, Boulez, Ligeti, and modern figures like Jessye Norman, Martha Argerich, Daniel Barenboim, Janet Baker, Mitsuko Uchida, and John Williams.
Sir Simon Rattle’s Presentation Remarks
During the presentation, Sir Simon Rattle reflected on the RPS’ enduring influence on music:
“The Royal Philharmonic Society has been at the core of our musical life since 1813, supporting classical music and musicians. It bestows the RPS Gold Medal, a tradition inaugurated in 1870. Tonight, Thomas Adès joins an esteemed lineage of musicians. Adès stands out not only as a stellar composer but also as a self-assured pianist and remarkable conductor. His works muse over the past yet enchantingly find early resonances of the authentically new, which defines the mark of a great composer.”
Recognition from RPS Chief Executive
RPS Chief Executive James Murphy also praised Adès during the ceremony:
“Thomas’s compositions take audiences on fantastical journeys, rejuvenating classical forms with his unique touch, an alchemist of music. His brilliance is acknowledged by awards like the Grawemeyer and Leoš Janáček, and his many achievements among composers and orchestras add to his lasting legacy.”
Thomas Adès’ Career Highlights
Born in London in 1971, Thomas Adès has an impressive catalogue of works, including three operas: The Exterminating Angel, The Tempest, and Powder Her Face.
He holds multiple prestigious awards, including:
- Three RPS Large-scale Composition distinctions for Asyla, Tevot, and The Tempest
- The 2015 Léonie Sonning Music Prize
- The Grawemeyer Award (where he was the prize’s youngest recipient)
- The Leoš Janáček Award
- The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge prize in 2023
In 2018, he was honoured as a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Contributions Beyond Composition
Beyond composition, Adès has also notably served as the Artistic Director of the Aldeburgh Festival (1999-2008). He performs globally as a pianist and serves as an annual coach at the International Musicians Seminar in Prussia Cove.
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