Welcome to the 2026 BBC Music Magazine Awards.
The nominated recordings for the 2026 Premiere Award are listed below.
The nominees for the 2026 Premiere Award
Liza Lim
A Sutured World*; Mary**; The Compass^
*Nicolas Altstaedt (cello), **^Carin Levine (flute), **^William Barton (digeridoo); Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/*Edward Gardner; **Franck Ollu; ^Christoph Poppen
BR Klassik 900647
Liza Lim is what our reviewer, in October’s ‘Concerto Choice’, described as a ‘weaver of worlds… extending into realms of ecology, metaphysics and female power.’ This record encapsulates just that, with exquisite performances from the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Edward Gardner. Nicolas Altstaedt shines in A Sutured World, a piece exploring ‘the beauty of scars’.
Abel Selaocoe
Four Spirits
Abel Selaocoe (cello); Aurora Orchestra
Warner Classics 2173277863
Abel Selaocoe’s debut cello concerto is undoubtedly his most exploratory release yet: a multi-textured, deeply personal work interweaving biography, community and reflection. Praised in November’s ‘Concerto Choice’ for an ‘unswerving mission’ and belief in ‘music’s role to improve humanity,’ Selaocoe’s Four Spirits makes that conviction profoundly compelling.
Dobrinka Tabakova
Sun Triptych
Maxim Rysanov, Dasol Kim, Roman Mints et al; BBC Concert Orchestra
ECM 4878558
This vibrant second ECM release devoted to Dobrinka Tabakova shines a spotlight on her orchestral imagination at full radiance. Sun Triptych is the jewel of the record’s fascinating programme – a luminous three-movement work that traces the movement from dawn to dusk, where, as our reviewer puts it, ‘Tabakova allows her aural imagination to take flight.’
Vote for the winner of this year's Premiere Award
Voting runs from Thursday 29 January to Wednesday 3 March. You can vote for your favourite from our three Premiere nominees below.
The purpose of this vote is to allow users to share their opinions on the shortlisted recordings for the BBC Music Magazine Awards. While the results will be of interest to other users and the BBC Music Magazine editorial team, it is not a representative sample and only reflects the views of those who choose to participate. Full terms and conditions can be found on our Terms and Conditions page.
