NEWS
The Ivors Academy has revealed that acclaimed composer Max Richter will be honoured with the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Innovation. The award celebrates his creativity and significant influence on contemporary classical music. Richter will attend The Ivors Composer Awards in person to receive the accolade on 17 November 2026 at London's Grosvenor House.
With more than four billion streams worldwide, Richter has established himself as one of the most influential figures in modern music. His signature sound brings together classical music, minimalism, electronic influences and sound design. His extensive body of work includes major concert hall pieces, ballet compositions and celebrated film scores, including his recent soundtrack for Chloé Zhao's Hamnet, as well as earlier projects such as Mary Queen of Scots and Ad Astra.
The Ivor Novello Award for Innovation places Richter among an impressive group of past winners, including Anoushka Shankar, Gavin Bryars, Matthew Herbert and Talvin Singh. Lord Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy, praised Richter for broadening the scope and possibilities of contemporary composition, while Academy Chair Tom Gray highlighted his talent for creating a distinctive musical language across a wide range of artistic disciplines.
The announcement arrives shortly before the release of Richter's latest studio album, While The Flood Rages, which is due out on 16 October through Decca Records. The album features music from MaddAddam, his newest ballet collaboration with choreographer Wayne McGregor, which examines ecological challenges, rapid technological change and human relationships.
The Ivors Composer Awards will be a key event during the first ever Ivors Composer Week, running from 16 to 20 November. Presented by radio host Petroc Trelawny in partnership with BBC Radio 3, the week long programme will celebrate composers from the UK and Ireland. Highlights include the inaugural Ivors Academy Composer Summit, scheduled to take place at the Royal Institution on 18 November.
