Russian refugee wins Classical Brit

A violinist who fled a poor Russian mining town to pursue her dream of studying at London's best music schools has won the young performer award at this year's Classical Brits.

Alina Ibragimova began playing the instrument aged four, and left Polevskoy, in the Urals, with her family while still a small girl. The 23-year-old's award came at the 10th anniversary show at the Royal Albert Hall. where two surviving members of the Three Tenors, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, were guests.

Faryl Smith, a teenage singer who first came to light on Simon Cowell's Britain's Got Talent TV show opened the show. At the age of 13, she became the youngest artist yet to perform solo at the ceremony, which was presented by Mylene Klass.

Carreras, 62, who was presented with a lifetime achievement in music award by the Vivienne Westwood-clad Duchess of Cornwall, brought the evening to an end with a performance of Chitarra Romana. Other guests and performers included the singers Katherine Jenkins, Aled Jones and Andrea Bocelli.

Ibragimova was 11 when her father landed a position with the London Symphony Orchestra, and the family moved to live in England. Just 12 months later she began her studies at the Yehudi Menuhin School, where her mother is professor of violin.

When Menuhin died in 1999 the then 13-year-old performed Bach's double violin concerto at his funeral in Westminster Abbey. She then went on to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and then to the Royal College of Music.

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards won album of the year for a record they made in an Iraq war zone. Spirit of the Glen: Journey was recorded in Basra during the soldiers' tour of duty and beat albums by acts including Andrea Bocelli, Katherine Jenkins, Jonathan Ansell and Mike Oldfield. Recorded in a tent, the album is the first by non-professional musicians to win a Classical Brit.

Major Angus Benson-Blair accepted the prize and was given rousing applause from the audience for comments about Britain's servicemen and women. The officer said: "The award is obviously about the album but I know everyone in the armed forces will see also each vote as supporting us in everything we do.

"So on behalf of every single soldier, sailor and airman I would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you for every vote for the pipes and drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards."

Trumpeter Alison Balsom became the first Briton in the history of the awards to win female artist of the year, seeing off competition from opera stars Anna Netrebko and Danielle de Niese.

Music from the Oscar-winning Batman film The Dark Knight was named soundtrack of the year.

And Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who led the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of amateur musicians at sell-out UK concerts in April. Chinese piano sensation Lang Lang joined by jazz legend Herbie Hancock to play Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue on two grand pianos.

Lang Lang returned to the awards for the second time, following his performance at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Winners 2009
Female Artist of the Year - Alison Balsom - Haydn and Hummel/Trumpet Concertos
Male Artist of the Year - Gustavo Dudamel - Fiesta
Composer of the Year - Howard Goodall - Eternal Light - A Requiem
Young British Classical Performer or Group - Alina Ibragimova, Hyperion
Soundtrack of the Year - Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard - The Dark Knight
Critics' Award - Sir Charles Mackerras/Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Mozart Symphonies nos 38-41
NS&I Album of the Year - The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - Spirit of the Glen: Journey
Lifetime Achievement in Music - Jose Carreras