Welcome to the 2024 BBC Music Magazine Awards
The nominated recordings for the 2024 Choral Award are listed below.
The nominees for the 2024 Choral Award
Saariaho
Reconnaissance: Choral Music
Helsinki Chamber Choir/Nils Schweckendiek
BIS BIS-2662
This collection of atmospheric choral works by the Finnish composer ended up being a rather poignant tribute to her, coming out just a matter of weeks after her untimely death. The Helsinki Chamber Choir made expressive work of the programme, inclding the otherworldly title work, Reconnaissance, here in its premiere recording.
![](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/43/2024/01/Solo_L_Choral_Saariaho.jpg?fit=1024,1024&webp=1&w=1200)
Monteverdi
Vespro della beata Vergine
Pygmalion/Raphaël Pichon
Harmonia Mundi HMM 902710.11
Raphaël Pichon and Pymalion made some judicious creative decisions when taking on Monteverdi’s oft-recorded sacred work. Eschewing some of the liturgical elements, this recording was called ‘an attractive addition’ in our original review, its bright and lyrical tone offering a refreshing view of the great work.
![](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/43/2024/01/Solo_L_Choral_Monteverdi.jpg?fit=1024,1024&webp=1&w=1200)
James MacMillan • Tavener • Vaughan Williams
Choral Works
The Choir of Westminster Abbey/James O'Donnell
Hyperion CDA68420
This recording marked the end of music director James O’Donnell’s two-decade tenure at Westerminster Abbey and the performance of Vaughan Williams’s Mass in G minor was particularly special. ‘As the summation of a golden era in Westminster Abbey’s venerable choral tradition, this consummately performed programme is unmissable,’ said our original review.
![](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/43/2024/01/Solo_L_Choral_MacMillan.jpg?fit=1024,1024&webp=1&w=1200)
Vote for the winner of this year's Choral Award
Voting will be open from Tuesday 23 January.
Choral Award
- Saariaho Reconnaissance: Choral Music
- Monteverdi Vespro della beata Vergine
- James MacMillan • Tavener • Vaughan Williams Choral Works