The Classical Brit Awards will be taking place tonight at the Royal Albert Hall. They have been criticised for taking classical music downmarket, the aim being to take classical music to a wider audience.

One of the bands performing tonight are Bond (pictured above) who have been criticised for being too populist, they have also been banned from the classical charts. Conformation of the controversial foursome's appearance, who have not been nominated for an award, has led to the resignation of Classical Brits committee member Matthew Cosgrove.

The Classical Brits is in it's second year, awards are similar to the Brit Awards, they include Best Male and Female Act and Album of the Year. Among those hoping for awards are Nigel Kennedy and William Orbit.

Bond will be releasing a new single Viva on 4 June. It is a head-on collision between Vivaldi and 21st century trance, sounding similar to William Orbit's Pieces In A Modern Style, where the producer remixed classical music.

Chris Black, member of the nominating academy, said, about Bond, "For people who like classical music, this is dumbing down to the nth degree."