The Ivors Academy has announced the 36 composers and librettists nominated for an Ivor Novello Award across nine categories. The winners will be revealed at The Ivors Composer Awards, sponsored by PRS for Music and in association with BBC Radio 3, on 17 November at Grosvenor House, London.
The ceremony will celebrate contemporary composition in all its forms, from film, television and video game soundtracks to community engagement and live performance. A new category recognising original documentary scores has been introduced for the first time this year.
Alongside the nine nominated categories, four Gift of the Academy special awards will be presented, including the Ivor Novello Award for Innovation to Max Richter. The Academy will also induct a composer into Fellowship, its highest honour.
The 2026 Ivors Composer Awards Nominees are:
Best Community and Participation Composition (with ABRSM)
Celebrating original music created for voluntary, amateur or youth performers, this category also recognises projects that foster community participation and engagement. The 2026 nominations are for works by British, Irish or UK resident composers that premiered to UK audiences between 1 April 2025 and 30 June 2026.
BENCHES
composed by Samuel D Loveless
for medium-large ensemble with optional electronics, commissioned by Contemporary Music for All
HOLOCENE
composed by Ailís Ní Ríain
for brass quintet, community brass players and four community-based percussion/cymbal players, commissioned by New Music Biennial 2025
HOW WE STAND, HOW WE BREATHE
composed by Brian Irvine
seven musical interventions for orchestra, individuals and micro-communities from Northern Ireland, commissioned by Dumbworld in association with the Ulster Orchestra
Best Large-Scale Composition
Written for 13 or more performers, the works in this category demonstrate the creative ambition and achievement of composition on a large scale. The 2026 nominations are for music by British, Irish or UK resident composers that premiered to UK audiences between 1 April 2025 and 30 June 2026.
BEFORE WE FALL
composed by Anna Thorvaldsdottir
cello concerto, commissioned by San Francisco Symphony, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Odense Symphony Orchestra and BBC Radio 3
music published in the UK by Chester Music
EXOPLANETS
composed by Robert Laidlow
for orchestra, commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Interfinity Festival, Basel
NON FICTION: PIANO CONCERTO IN FOUR MOVEMENTS
composed by Hania Rani
for solo piano, orchestra and experimental instruments
music published in the UK by Bosworth & Co. Ltd
THE WHITE BOOK -
EXTRACTS FROM HAN KANG'S THE WHITE BOOK FOR SOPRANO AND ORCHESTRA
composed by Laura Bowler
for solo and orchestra, commissioned by Göteborgs Symfoniker, London Symphony Orchestra and Copenhagen Phil-Hele Sjællands Symfoniorkester
music published in the UK by G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH, part of Universal Music Publishing Classics & Screen
[UNTITLED]
composed by Cassie Kinoshi
for ensemble and solo turntables, commissioned by the Barbican Centre, London and Ensemble Intercontemporain for Boulez 100
Best Original Documentary Score
In documentary, original music can shape the telling of real stories and deepen their impact. This category recognises that creative contribution. The 2026 nominations are for music written by British, Irish or UK resident composers for documentaries that premiered to UK audiences between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2026.
A GORILLA STORY: TOLD BY DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
composed by Richard Collins and Patrick Jonsson
music published in the UK by BMG for Maisie Anthems
DAVID FROST VS…
composed by Thomas Farnon
music published in the UK by SATV Publishing
GRENFELL: UNCOVERED
composed by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell
music published in the UK by BMG for Maisie Anthems
THE LAST MUSICIAN OF AUSCHWITZ
composed by Jessica Dannheisser
music published in the UK by Northdog Music Publishing
UNDERLAND
composed by Hannah Peel
music published in the UK by Mute Song
Best Original Film Score
Original music brings depth, momentum and emotional resonance to fictional feature films. This category celebrates its contribution to narrative and impact. The 2026 nominations are for music by British, Irish or UK resident composers for feature films that premiered to UK audiences between 1 January and 30 June 2026.
EFFI O BLAENAU
composed by Ioana Șelaru and Siôn Trefor
music published in the UK by Du Vinage Publishing
PROJECT HAIL MARY
composed by Daniel Pemberton
music published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing for Amazon Content Services
THE HISTORY OF SOUND
composed by Oliver Coates
music published in the UK by Bright Notion Music administered by Universal Music Publishing Ltd. on behalf of Decca Music Group Ltd.
Best Original Score for Performance
This category recognises original music created for live performance and the distinctive creative contribution it makes in that setting. The 2026 nominations are for productions composed by British, Irish or UK resident composers that premiered to UK audiences between 1 September 2024 and 30 June 2026.
FESTEN
composed by Mark-Anthony Turnage, with libretto by Lee Hall
opera in 3 acts, commissioned by the Royal Ballet and Opera
music published in the UK by Boosey & Hawkes
NO. 59 (DR FROMPOU'S ANATOMICAL STUDY OF AN ORCHESTRA)
composed by Richard Ayres
for narrator and ensemble, commissioned by Aurora Orchestra
music published in the UK by Schott Music
OUM – A SON'S QUEST FOR HIS MOTHER
composed by Bushra El-Turk
a music theatre work commissioned by the Dutch National Opera
Best Original Television Score
Across fictional television, original music helps establish worlds, sustain narratives and amplify a programme’s impact. The 2026 nominations are for music by British, Irish or UK resident composers for fictional television programmes that premiered to UK audiences between 1 January and 30 June 2026.
BELIEVE ME
composed by Carly Paradis
music published in the UK by BMG for Veti Music Publishing
LEGENDS
composed by Siôn Trefor
music published in the UK by BMG for Maisie Anthems
MINT
composed by Patrick Jonsson
music published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing for BBC Music Publishing and House Productions
Best Original Video Game Score
Original music is integral to the worlds, atmosphere and player experience of video games. This category celebrates that creative contribution. The 2026 nominations are for music by British, Irish or UK resident composers for games released in the UK between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2026.
007 FIRST LIGHT
composed by The Flight
SAROS
composed by Sam Slater
music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing
SPIRIT OF THE NORTH 2
composed by Pav Gekko
Best Small-Scale Composition
For solo or ensembles of fewer than 13 performers, this category celebrates the focus, invention and creative achievement of original composition on a small scale. The 2026 nominations are for music by British, Irish or UK resident composers that premiered to UK audiences between 1 April 2025 and 30 June 2026.
HOPE SPIRAL
composed by Ben Nobuto
for horn, string quartet and electronics, commissioned by Ben Goldscheider and Brother Tree Sound
NIGHT OWL
composed by Sasha Scott
for string ensemble and electronics, commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society
REEF
composed by Ruth Morley
for flute, voice, percussion and double bass, commissioned by Red Note Ensemble
SCRUNCHY TOUCH SWEETLY TO FALL (KITE AND FINGER RUN)
composed by Alex Paxton
for 11 players and loudspeakers, co-commissioned by Ensemble Modern, impuls and Gaudeamus Festival
music published in the UK by G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH, part of Universal Music Publishing Classics & Screen
SHINING
composed by Hania Rani
for 12-piece ensemble
music published in the UK by Bosworth & Co. Ltd
Best Vocal and Choral Composition
From individual voices to vocal ensembles, this category celebrates the expressive possibilities and creative achievement of original vocal and choral music. The 2026 nominations are for works by British, Irish or UK resident composers that premiered to UK audiences between 1 April 2025 and 30 June 2026.
A TASTE OF TRAPPED SUN
composed by Anselm McDonnell
for SSAATTBB choir with text by Tim MacGabhann, commissioned by BBC Radio 3
BALLADS OF A BOGMAN
composed by Stephen McNeff
a song cycle for tenor and piano with text by Sigerson Clifford
music published in the UK by Peters Edition Ltd
LITANY TO THE MAGDALENE DEAD
composed by Deirdre McKay
for mezzo-soprano and piano, co-commissioned by Deirdre Brennor and West Cork Music
SONGS OF SLEEP AND PROPHECY
composed by Martin Suckling
for unaccompanied SATB chorus, commissioned by Leeds Guild of Singers
music published in the UK by Faber Music
THE BLACK LAKE
composed by Richard Blackford
a cantata for soprano solo, SATB choir and chamber orchestra, co-commissioned by Three Choirs Festival, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts
music published in the UK by Nimbus Music Publishing
Where and when can I listen to the Ivors Composer Awards 2026?
The Ivors Composer Awards will be hosted by Petroc Trelawny, with BBC Radio 3 as broadcast partner. Highlights from The Ivors Composer Awards ceremony will be broadcast across BBC Radio 3’s schedule in programmes including The New Music Show (21/11/2026), Sound of Cinema (21/11/2026) as well as on Breakfast and In Tune.
The nominated works were composed by British, Irish and UK resident composers and heard by UK audiences for the first time. Judged by composers from across The Ivors Academy’s membership, an Ivor Novello Award represents peer recognition at the highest level.
For over 20 years, the Ivors have recognised the achievements of some the UK’s most talented composers including Sally Beamish, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Tansy Davies, Jonny Greenwood, Anna Meredith, Sir John Tavener, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Roderick Williams and many more.
