The Principal Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Kirill Karabits, has won the prestigious 2012 Conductor of the Year award from the Royal Philharmonic Society.

The accolade was presented to the 36-year-old at a ceremony in London on Tuesday night.

The RPS awards are made for outstanding achievement in classical music and acknowledged as the highest recognition for live classical music in the UK.

Karabits is now in his fourth season as Principal Conductor of the BSO.

This weekend he will lead the orchestra's 120th anniversary celebrations in a special concert at the Pavilion and will conduct the opening concert at Pier Approach, Bournemouth's new open air performance space on the old Imax site on June 29.

The conductor was presented with his award by Dame Janet Baker CH  and in a heartfelt acceptance speech paid a special tribute to "the wonderful musicians of the BSO".

Dougie Scarfe, the BSO’s Chief Executive, said: "In the week that the BSO is celebrating its 120th anniversary, this award is outstanding recognition of the work that Kirill and the Orchestra continue to do to bring world-class music to the diverse region of the South and South West, as well as its national and international presence."

Read our interview with Kirill Karabits, which appeared in our weekend magazine Later here