The Australian composer honoured with two major prizes.

The Australian Performing Right Association (APRA) and Australian Music Centre’s annual awards presentation has made a comeback with a new name and new categories following a year’s hiatus. The inaugural ART Music Awards, formerly the Classical Music Awards, announced winners in nine categories as well as individual state prizes last night at the Sydney Theatre, Walsh Bay, in a ceremony hosted by Julian Morrow of ABC TV’s The Chaser and featuring live performances by the Johannes Luebbers Dectet, Ensemble Offspring, Clocked Out and other award winners.

Sydney composer Paul Stanhope was the toast of the evening, with two pieces premiered and toured by Musica Viva last year claiming the gongs for Instrumental Work of the Year (String Quartet No 2) and Choral Work of the Year (Deserts of Exile).

Stanhope, whose lauded choral work was performed at the ceremony, says he is “delighted and utterly flabbergasted at receiving the two awards”.

“I had not imagined the possibility that both would come my way and I’m over the moon about the recognition that the awards offer.

“I’m also truly humbled to have received them given the quality of the music by the other finalists.” Nominees in...