One of Britain’s greatest concert organists, Thomas Trotter, has joined Sir Charles Mackerras, Imogen Cooper and Gary Crosby as recipient of the Queen’s Medal for Music.
Suggested to the Queen by the late Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the medal has been presented annually for fifteen years. Awarded to individuals or groups, such as the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, the medal is recognition for outstanding musical contribution.
Thomas Trotter is the sixteenth such recipient in recognition of his international acclaim. He has been Birmingham City Organist for 37 years and both Birmingham universities have bestowed honorary doctorates upon him. He is also a Visiting Fellow in Organ Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, attracting the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Instrumentalist Award in 2011, the 2012 International Performer of the Year by the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the 2016 Royal College of Organists Medal.
He has toured the world, performed at festivals in Bath, Salzburg, Edinburgh and the Proms, and is often asked to inaugurate new and restored organs, such as those at the Royal Albert Hall and St David’s Hall, Cardiff. His recordings have been released by Chandos, Decca, EMI, Hyperion and Regent.
Commenting on the award, the Master of The Queen’s Music, Judith Weir, said, ‘This year’s medal salutes a world-famous organist who has done so much to widen and brighten the realm of this great instrument. Thomas Trotter’s series of regular recitals over four decades as Birmingham City Organist is an inspiring example of civic engagement for all performing musicians.’
Thomas Trotter responded, ‘I am deeply honoured to be awarded The Queen’s Medal for Music for 2020. To have my work recognised in this way is totally unexpected and highly gratifying, and it is a privilege to join the list of distinguished recipients of this award.’
