Classical Brits 2009

I know - bit of a departure for me, so I won't be trying to kid you that I've the faintest idea who they are or what they're playing! All I can say is, I loved it. Young Faryl opening the show was delightful, Mylene Klass so enthusiastic - not many reality show wannabes have managed to carve the niche she has for herself.

To present Composer of the Year - David Suchet - a jazz drumming, clarinet player, no less! Howard Goodall the recipient, for Eternal Light: A Requiem. Apparently he's responsible for the Blackadder and Mr. Bean themes! We've a musical interlude for Placido Domingo and Katherine Jenkins to perform A Mother Wonderment before the Male Artist of the Year, presented by Jenny Agutter (hubby looked up then - he's had a crush on her since The Railway Children) was won by Gustavo Dudamel. Nice orange jumper Gus, really. Could use some soul glow on those locks though.

Female Artist, presented by Darcy Bussell, was won by Alison Balsom, who also performed the Hummel Trumpet Concerto; Aled Jones presented Young British Classical performer to Kate Moss lookalike Alina Ibragimova. How cool is Herbie Hancock? I swear he looks younger now than he did then! Playing Rhapsody in Blue with another pianist Lang Lang. Enjoyed the ivory tickling and also the clarinet, if that's what it was.

David Mellor presented the Critics Award, this went to 84 year old Sir Charles McKerris, the musicians' musician, for his Mozart symphonies with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. And then my fave performance of the night - Jonas Kaufman, singing La Donna e Mobil - I recognised this one, it's Paulo di Canio in English ...Hayley Mills presented Soundtrack of the Year to Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard for The Dark Knight. The busy busy Katherine Jenkins, back from the USA, performed for us again, this time with Una Voce Poco Fa.

The last two awards were the most emotional - Album of the Year, presented by Simon Bates to The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for Spirit of theGlen: Journey, amazingly recorded whilst on active duty in Iraq! Impressive! And the Lifetime Achievement award presented by The Duchess of Cornwall, Placido Domingo and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to Jose Carreras, who appeared quite overcome by his ovation during a heartwarming speech.

So that was the 10th anniversary; with The Priests outselling Madonna, it looks like interest in classical is growing - you know what that means, don't you? They might broadcast it live next year!