Internationally acclaimed Australian composer Liza Lim has been shortlisted for a Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award for her chamber-scale composition How Forests Think. Celebrated for her vibrant, sensual compositions and interest in cross-cultural practice, Lim’s nomination comes on the back of her appointment to the composition unit at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The RPS Music Awards recognise achievement in live performance and outreach work in the UK, with a strong focus on innovative and unusual music-making.

“The shortlists are fizzing with energy, ambition and invention”, said RPS chair John Gilhooly. “They celebrate not just musical excellence, but a very tangible pioneering artistic spirit: outstanding musicians and organisations who want to share and encourage musical excellence, investigate new creative avenues and to see music make a real difference to the world we live in.”

“In short, the shortlists celebrate great music, happening in the moment – the essence of what makes live music so special. Congratulations to them all.”

How Forests Think first premiered at the Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music in September 2016, where it was hailed as “mesmerising” and “breathtaking”. It had its UK Premiere at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music...