Julius Drake has won the Vocal Award of the BBC Music Magazine for his Hyperion recording of Janáček: The Diary of One Who Disappeared; Nursery rhymes; Moravian folk poetry in songs with tenor Nicky Spence, mezzo-soprano Václava Housková and clarinettist Victoria Samek.

In the Award’s reveal, BBC says, “The winning recording features singing of ardent urgency, obsessive desperation, and sweet vulnerability, exactly what this music requires; and with a pianist who communicates with just as much power, beauty, and subtlety.”

Drake says, “I am very proud of this disc and this award. It has been a dream of mine for 25 years to record Janacek’s unique Diary of One who Disappeared and I am very grateful to Simon Perry from Hyperion Records for making this recording possible. Thank you to all my superb colleagues, the tenor Nicky Spence, mezzo Vaclava Houskova, clarinettist Victoria Samek (who joined us for the delightful Riklada) and the Voce Trio as well as to our marvellous recording team of Simon Kiln and Ben Connellan.“

BBC Music Magazine Awards 2020: Vocal Award from BBC Music Magazine on Vimeo.

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