French Award for Scots Producer
Philip Hobbs, chief producer at leading Scots recording label Linn Records, has received the prestigious Prise de Son (Sound Recording) Award from the French classical music journal Diapason.
The magazine described Hobbs, who has over thirty years’ experience in the industry, as an “exceptional” talent, whose professionalism consistently meets the very highest standards in sound recording. In particular, it cited January’s Linn release of JS Bach: The Well-Tempered Consort 1, performed by the viol consort Phantasm, adding that “the assiduous care he [Hobbs] takes in his work gives the appearance of great simplicity”.
This is the second major award in as many years for the Glasgow-based producer. In 2019, his work for Linn on the third of Robin Ticciati’s French repertoire series with the Deutsche Symphony Orchestra earned him a coveted Trophée from French broadcaster Radio Classique for Best Sound Recording of the Year.
Hobbs’ notable expertise has been put to wider use during the current Covid pandemic, producing many digital concerts for the Edinburgh International Festival, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Back in April, the RSNO also featured among Diapason winners, its album of Chopin Piano Concertos with soloist Benjamin Grosvenor and principal guest conductor Elim Chan netting a distinguished Diapason d’Or. The RSNO previously appeared in the French awards list under its former music director Stephane Deneve.
