Hamnet composer Max Richter to receive Ivor Novello award for ‘ingenuity and impact’

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Composer Max Richter will receive an Ivor Novello award for innovation, recognizing his pioneering contributions to contemporary classical music over more than thirty years. The award highlights Richter’s influence across concert halls, film scores, and collaborations with dancers and fashion designers, underscoring his role in expanding the boundaries of modern composition.

Max Richter, the acclaimed composer known for his distinctive blend of classical tradition, minimalism, electronic music, and sound design, will be honored with an Ivor Novello award for innovation. The recognition celebrates Richter’s significant contributions and influence in contemporary classical music over a career spanning more than three decades.

Richter, 60, is set to receive the award at the Ivors Composer Awards ceremony on November 17 at Grosvenor House in London. The Ivors Academy praised him as “one of the defining voices in contemporary classical music” whose work has expanded the boundaries of composition and reached diverse audiences through concert halls, recordings, stage productions, and film.

His recent notable achievement includes composing the score for the 2025 film Hamnet, which garnered critical acclaim and won awards at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Baftas. In addition to film, Richter has composed music for major motion pictures such as Mary Queen of Scots (2018), Ad Astra (2019), Miss Sloane (2016), and Waltz With Bashir (2008).

Beyond film, Richter has collaborated with leading classical artists including Anna Lapwood, Anne-Sophie Mutter, and Gautier Capuçon. He has also contributed to the fashion world by scoring music for Dior runway shows, and developed an ongoing creative partnership with choreographer Wayne McGregor, producing music for ballet productions.

Roberto Neri, chief executive of the Ivors Academy, highlighted Richter’s ability to innovate and connect with audiences. “His music combines extraordinary craft with a constant desire to innovate, connecting with audiences across concert halls, recordings, stage and screen,” Neri said. Tom Gray, the academy’s chair, described Richter as “a composer of unmistakable originality and influence” who has created a unique musical language while continuously exploring new sounds and ideas.

Richter joins the ranks of previous distinguished recipients of the award, including Anoushka Shankar, Gavin Bryars, Matthew Herbert, and Talvin Singh. The Ivor Novello award is recognized globally as a prestigious honor celebrating creative excellence in music composition.

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