Talking of awards, and long lists, the nominations are out for this year's Classical Brits. Much of the press has focused on Sting and Paul McCartney's nominations. But you can scan the full list and decide what interests you for yourself. If nothing interests you, well, hmmmm, what can I say? Sting and Paul McCartney are both nominated, that's kind of interesting isn't it? The awards take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 3 May. Meantime, here are the shortlists...
Singer of the Year
Anna Netrebko - Russian Album & Violetta (Universal/Deutsche Grammophon)
Rolando Villazon - Opera Recital (EMI/Virgin Classics)
Simon Keenlyside - Tales of Opera (SonyBMG/Sony Classical)
Instrumentalist of the Year
Alison Balsom - Bach/Works for Trumpet & Caprice (EMI Classics)
Leif Ove Andsnes - Horizons (EMI Classics)
Nicola Benedetti - Mendelssohn/Concerto for Violin (Universal/Deutsche Grammophon)
Classical Recording of the Year
Berliner Philharmoniker/Sir Simon Rattle - Holst/The Planets (EMI Classics)
LSO/Sir Colin Davis - Sibelius/Kullervo (LSO Live)
The Sixteen/Harry Christophers - Ikon (Universal/UCJ)
Contemporary Composer of the Year
John Adams - The Dharma at Big Sur/My Father knew Charles Ives (Warner/Nonesuch)
Karl Jenkins - Kiri Sings Karl & TLEP (EMI Classics & Sony Classical)
Sir Peter Maxwell-Davies - Naxos Quartets Nos 5 & 6 (HNH/Naxos)
Soundtrack Composer of the Year
John Williams - Munich (Universal/Decca)
George Fenton - Planet Earth (BBC Worldwide & EMI)
James Newton - Howard The Village (EMI/ Hollywod)
NS&I Album of the Year
Alfie Boe - Classic FM Presents (Classic FM & SonyBMG)
All Angels - All Angels (Universal/UCJ)
Bryn Terfel - Tutto Mozart (Universal/Deutsche Grammophon)
Katherine Jenkins - Serenade (Universal/UCJ)
Libera - Angel Voices (EMI/EMI Classics)
Nicola Benedetti - Mendelssohn/Concerto For Violin (Universal/Deutsche Grammophon)
Paul McCartney/Ecce Cor Meum - Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields/Greenaway (EMI Classics)
Sting - Songs From The Labyrinth (Universal/Deutsche Grammophon)
The Fron Male Voice Choir - Voices From The Valley (Universal/UCJ)
The Sixteen/Harry Christophers - Ikon (Universal/UCJ)
Critics' Award
Bryn Terfel - Tutto Mozart (Universal/Deutsche Grammophon)
Freiberg Baroque Orchestra/RIAS Kammerchoir/Rene Jacobs - Mozart/La Clemenza di Tito (Harmonia Mundi)
Rolando Villazon - Opera Recital (EMI/Virgin Classics)
Young British Classical Performer
Nicky Spence - The Scottish Tenor (Universal/UCJ)
Nicola Benedetti - Mendelssohn/Concerto for Violin (Universal/Deutsche Grammophon)
Ruth Palmer - Shostakovich/ Violin Concerto No 1 and Sonata for Violin and Piano (Quartz)
Lifetime Achievement
Dr Vernon Handley CBE