On November 6, Musical America announced the winners of the annual Musical America Awards. These awards recognise artistic excellence and achievement in the arts, and will be presented at a ceremony at the Lincoln Center, New York on December 13. Kaija Saariaho has been named as Composer of the Year in recognition of her enticing music which incorporates spectacular harmonic transformations and a magnificent colour palette which creates a very unique soundscape. Coincidentally, conductor Robert Spano, who has worked extensively with Saariaho's music, is named Conductor of the Year.
