Since 1959, the Grammy Awards (presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) have been one of the major events in the global record-industry year; held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the 61st annual ceremony last night was a typically star-studded affair, with live performances from artists including Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, Cardi B, Lady Gaga, and Jennifer Lopez.
Though classical music isn't the primary focus of the Awards (Drake, Kacey Musgraves, Ariana Grande and Childish Gambino were among the headlining winners this year), coveted 'golden gramophones' are still awarded in eight classical categories. Contemporary American music features prominently, with Lansing McLoskey’s Zealot Canticles, Kenneth Fuchs’s Piano Concerto, Aaron Jay Kernis’s Violin Concerto for James Ehnes, and Mason Bates’s opera on the life of Steve Jobs all scooping awards; Lebanese-American tenor Karim Sulayman is the exception to the rule, with his debut solo recording of music by Monteverdi, Caccini, Merula and other seventeenth-century Italian composers taking the palm for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album.
Best Orchestral Performance
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Andris Nelsons
Available Formats: 2 CDs, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Best Opera Recording
Edwards Parks (Steve Jobs), Garrett Sorenson (Steve Wozniak), Sasha Cooke (Laurene), Jessica E. Jones (Chrisann), Wei Wu (Kōbun Chino Otogawa); Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, Michael Christie
Available Formats: 2 SACDs, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Best Choral Performance
The Crossing, Donald Nally
Available Formats: FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
Best Classical Instrumental Solo
James Ehnes (violin), Andrew Armstrong (piano), Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Ludovic Morlot, Cristian Măcelaru
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
Karim Sulayman (tenor), Apollo's Fire, Jeannette Sorrell
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Best Classical Compendium
London Symphony Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Best Contemporary Classical Composition
James Ehnes (violin), Andrew Armstrong (piano); Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Ludovic Morlot, Cristian Măcelaru
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
