Lightning strikes twice for Sydney-based pianist as her Nyman matches her Glass.

Über-gothic Princess of the Piano Sally Whitwell has triumphed at this year’s ARIA Awards carrying off the Best Classical Album for All Imperfect Things – her CD of the solo piano music of British minimalist icon Michael Nyman. The award follows her 2011 success in the same category for Mad Rush, her equally applauded album of piano music by Philip Glass.

Whitwell fended off strong competition from Norway-based leading countertenor David Hansen for Rivals, his nine world premiere castrati arias CD, saxophonist Amy Dickson for her film music inspired album Catch Me If You Can, soprano Jane Sheldon for her album North + South and Nigel Westlake for his moving Requiem for Eli.

All Imperfect Things was a double winner with the ABC’s Virginia Read taking the Best Engineer Award for her work on the album – the first time a woman has won in this category.

Paul Kelly, James Ledger, Genevieve Lacey and the musicians of the Australian national Academy of Music (ANAM) won the Best Soundtrack for Conversations With Ghosts. Commissioned by ANAM, the pieces...