Classical Brit honour for Harry Potter composer Williams

Star Wars and Harry Potter soundtrack composer John Williams is to be honoured at the Classical Brit Awards.

The five-times Oscar winner - one of the most successful figures in film music - will be given a lifetime achievement award at the annual event on October 2.

Williams, 80, has also been behind the scores for movies such as Jaws, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Superman and Raiders Of The Lost Ark. He has worked with director and producer Steven Spielberg repeatedly.

Dickon Stainer, the co-chairman of the Classic Brit Awards committee, said: "John Williams has crafted some of the most memorable film scores for over half a century and we are delighted that he has kindly accepted the Lifetime Achievement award in honour of his fine work."

Dutch classical superstar Andrew Rieu, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti will be among the performers at the event, officially called Classic Brit Awards 2012 with MasterCard.

Myleene Klass is to host the event at the Royal Albert Hall in London for a fifth time.

Nominations - including those for a new award for classical single of the year - will be announced on 6 September.

PA