Classical music’s highest honour, the RPS Gold Medal, was presented to composer Sofia Gubaidulina by fellow Gold Medallist Dame Janet Baker at the 2019 Royal Philharmonic Society Awards at Battersea Arts Centre.

Born in 1931, Gubaidulina is renowned as one of the great composers of the last century. On receiving the award, she said:

‘This award is especially precious because it comes as we are preparing to celebrate the 250th birthday of Beethoven. To that great composer belongs the merit of affirming in his work the love of harmony – which is the true meaning of the word ‘Philharmonic’. Let us hope that this may be a unique moment in the history of music - when growth for all mankind can really be achieved through works of art. I am infinitely grateful to the Royal Philharmonic Society for the honour that I have been shown.’

The RPS Gold Medal has been awarded to outstanding musicians since 1870 - previous recipients include the late Jessye Norman, Dame Mitsuko Uchida, Dame Janet Baker, Sir Simon Rattle, Leonard Bernstein, Benjamin Britten, Kathleen Ferrier, Edward Elgar and Johannes Brahms – and this marks the very first time it has been received by a female composer.