Julius Drake has received a nomination from the International Classical Music Awards under the “Choral Album” category for his work on the album Dvořák: Stabat Mater. The finalists of the awards will be known by December 16, and the ICMA winners will be announced on 21 January 2020. The Award Ceremony and Gala concert will take place at the Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville, Spain, on 30 April 2020, with the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville conducted by John Axelrod.
The “Stabat mater” by Bohemian composer Antonin Dvořák, widely known for its orchestral version, was initially composed with piano accompaniment. This rarely-heard original version was recorded for CD from BR-KLASSIK with Drake on piano. Under the baton of Howard Arman, the live recording features Julia Ladder, Gerhild Romberger, Dmitry Korchak, Tareq Nazmi and The Chorus of the Bayerischer Rundfunk.
The album, released in September 2019, was met with praise from critics. Remy Franck of Pizzicato writes “This simplicity is conveyed by the pianist Julius Drake with touching reserve. His play transforms despair and painful grief into sound without losing hope. The exquisite soloist, quartet and the choir, share this interpretation with simple means and at the same time a moving expressive depth.”