Hamnet composer Max Richter to receive major Ivor Novello award

Hamnet composer Max Richter will receive the Ivor Novello Award for innovation in recognition of his “unmistakable originality and influence”.

Richter will receive the award in person next month during The Ivors Composer Awards in recognition of his “ingenuity and impact in contemporary classical composition”.

The 60-year-old has been praised by The Ivors Academy as “one of the defining voices in contemporary classical music” renowned for his compositions that blend classical tradition, minimalism, electronic music and sound design.

Max Richter has been praised by the Ivor Novello Awards as ‘one of the defining voices in contemporary classical music’ (Ian West/PA)

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Throughout more than three decades in the music industry, Richter has created compositions for the silver screen, with his music appearing in films such as Mary Queen of Scots, Ad Astra, Miss Sloane and Waltz With Bashir.

His most recent score was for the 2025 film Hamnet, which received widespread critical acclaim and secured nominations at the Oscars, Golden Globes and Bafta Film Awards.

Richter has also reached audiences on the concert stage, collaborating with artists such as Anna Lapwood, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Gautier Capucon.

The composer has turned his hand to fashion, scoring music for Dior catwalk shows, and his music has also featured in ballet productions through his long-standing creative partnership with ballet and theatre choreographer Wayne McGregor.

The Ivors Academy describes the award as “one of the most respected honours in music creation and a globally recognised benchmark for creative excellence”.

Richter will receive the accolade during a ceremony at Grosvenor House on November 17.

He follows in the footsteps of previous recipients of the innovation award, including Anoushka Shankar, Gavin Bryars, Matthew Herbert and Talvin Singh.

Lord Neri, chief executive of The Ivors Academy, said: “Max Richter has expanded what contemporary composition can be and who it can reach.

“His music combines extraordinary craft with a constant desire to innovate, connecting with audiences across concert halls, recordings, stage and screen.

“We’re proud to recognise Max with an Ivor Novello Award for Innovation.”

Tom Gray, chairman of The Ivors Academy, added: “Max is a composer of unmistakable originality and influence.

“He has created a musical language that is entirely his own, while continually exploring new forms, sounds and ideas.

“From collaborations with Future Sound of London and Roni Size to ballet, opera, film and television, and landmark works including Sleep, The Blue Notebooks and the score for Hamnet, his work has undoubtedly changed contemporary composition.”