The first Gold Medal to be awarded in 2000 was on 20 March to Sir Simon Rattle and took place on the podium at the Royal Festival Hall London during one of Sir Simon’s final Towards the Millennium concerts with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. We were truly grateful to Alfred Brendel, himself a Gold Medal holder, who in the middle of a very hectic schedule found time to make the presentation to Sir Simon on behalf of the Society.