Nigel Hess has been nominated for the coveted Composer of the Year category at the 2009 Classical BRIT Awards.

The Awards shortlist was announced at London's Mayfair Hotel on 20 April. 

Hess's Concerto for Piano & Orchestra (UCJ) was written for and recorded by Chinese virtuoso Lang Lang, and commissioned by HRH The Prince of Wales in memory of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth - The Queen Mother.

The 2009 Classical BRIT Awards take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 14 May, in an evening compered by Myleene Klass.  It will include performances by José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Katherine Jenkins, Faryl Smith and The Priests. More here.