Home » News & Articles » 2024 » Thomas Adès CBE receives the Royal Philarmonic Society Gold Medal

Thomas Adès CBE receives the Royal Philarmonic Society Gold Medal

The medal was presented at the BBC Proms after the UK premiere of 'Aquifer', Adès’ new orchestral work.
simon-rattle-and-thomas-ades-chris-christodoulou
Simon Rattle and Thomas Adès (photo by Chris Christodoulou)
9 Sep 2024

Composer, pianist and conductor Thomas Adès (KC 1989) was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal live on stage at the BBC Proms on 5 September, following the premiere of his new orchestral work Aquifer.

The Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal is the Society’s highest honour. Since 1870 it has been awarded for the most outstanding musicianship and presented to the finest musicians of any nationality. Previous winners include Johannes Brahms (1877), Edward Elgar (1925) and Benjamin Britten (1964).

Royal Philarmonic Society Chief Executive James Murphy commented:

“What extraordinary voyages audiences have been taken on by Thomas’s music, opening new doors to our imagination. He has the gift of an alchemist, making old forms gleam anew. His music fires the minds of a new generation of composers whom he devotedly programmes and champions.”

Listen to the concert in which the medal was presented on BBC Sounds - available until 12 October 2024.

Adès received a CBE for services to Music in 2018.

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