Everything You Need to Know about the 2020 Classical Music Grammy Nominees
Every year, news of the Grammy nominees sweeps headlines. The names of pop-culture icons, rock stars, rappers, and more dominate the news, inciting music fans across the globe to ready themselves to tune in to the awards show, cheering on their favorite artists.
While every Grammy-nominated artist is vastly talented, it’s normally the artists with the biggest names in the most popular genres who tend to absorb a majority of the hubbub. For classical music lovers like us, that can mean a missed opportunity to learn all we can about the featured artists in the categories we love most—the classical music sections.
This year, all that changes with Classical Post’s 2020 Grammy Nominee guide! Join us now as we explore the classical music GRAMMY nominees category by category, diving ever-deeper into these exceptional artists, their masterpieces, and the work they’ve gifted the world.
Best Orchestral Performance
In this category, the award is presented to the conductor and to the orchestra.
BRUCKNER: SYMPHONY NO. 9—Manfred Honeck, conductor (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)
This iconic work from maestro Manfred Honeck and Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra is a revelatory recording of Bruckner’s monumental work. The recording invites all to experience the presence of the divine, experience the beauty of the world, and take a masterful journey through majestic moments.
COPLAND: BILLY THE KID; GROHG—Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Detroit Symphony Orchestra)
This work, which was conducted by Leonard Slatkin and performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, explores Aaron Copland’s one-act ballet Grohg and his complete ballet Billy the Kid. Slatkin brings a vivid and idiomatic performance of both of Copland’s most fascinating scores.
NORMAN: SUSTAIN—Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)
This performance earned Grammy nominations in two key categories—best orchestral performance and best contemporary classical composition. This piece, described as a breakthrough for the composer, has also been noted as an “out of body acoustic experience” by the L.A. Times
TRANSATLANTIC—Louis Langrée, conductor (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra)
Performed with richness and fascination, Transatlantic features works from Gershwin Varese, and Stravinsky from Louis Langrée and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
WEINBERG: SYMPHONIES NOS. 2 & 21—Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conductor (City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra & Kremerata Baltica)
An exceptional performance brought to live by a vibrant, lively, and colorful conductor, the two symphonies offer haunting accounts from the Polish-born Soviet composer.
Best Opera Recording
In this category, the award is presented to the conductor, the album producer(s), and the principal soloists.
BENJAMIN: LESSONS IN LOVE & VIOLENCE—George Benjamin, conductor; Stéphane Degout, Barbara Hannigan, Peter Hoare & Gyula Orendt; James Whitbourn, producer (Orchestra Of The Royal Opera House)
A performance that initially took place at the Royal Opera House in May of 2018, this recording was released at the beginning of 2019. Recognized as both haunting and chilling, the performance perfectly captured every moment of the haunting, emotionally draining opera.
BERG: WOZZECK—Marc Albrecht, conductor; Christopher Maltman & Eva-Maria Westbroek; François Roussillon, producer (Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra; Chorus Of Dutch National Opera)
A co-production by the Dutch National Opera and the French producer François Roussillon, this recording is a dazzling, visual, and reverberating experience that echoes in your mind long after the recording is over.
CHARPENTIER: LES ARTS FLORISSANTS; LES PLAISIRS DE VERSAILLES—Paul O'Dette & Stephen Stubbs, conductors; Jesse Blumberg, Teresa Wakim & Virginia Warnken; Renate Wolter-Seevers, producer (Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble; Boston Early Music Festival Vocal Ensemble)
This release marks the third recording exploring the Baroque master’s operatic repertoire, following a 2011 and 2014 release, the latter of which won the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording. Initially created with the goal of capturing the exceptional work of the Baroque Opera Project, this release depicts allegorical scenes under King Louis XIV and his grand palace at Versailles.
PICKER: FANTASTIC MR. FOX—Gil Rose, conductor; John Brancy, Andrew Craig Brown, Gabriel Preisser, Krista River & Edwin Vega; Gil Rose, producer (Boston Modern Orchestra Project; Boston Children's Chorus)
A performance from the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, this nomination is based on the operatic performance of a modern-day fable in a story of good and evil. This performance is intricate, inevitably melodic, and stylistically references Stravinsky throughout.
WAGNER: LOHENGRIN—Christian Thielemann, conductor; Piotr Beczała, Anja Harteros, Tomasz Konieczny, Waltraud Meier & Georg Zeppenfeld; Eckhard Glauche, producer (Festspielorchester Bayreuth; Festspielchor Bayreuth)
An immaculate performance of Wagner’s Lohengrin, an opera in three acts, conductor Christian Thielemann leads a talented ensemble through an exciting, romantic journey.
Best Choral Performance
In this category, the award is presented to the conductor, the choral director (when applicable), the chorus master (when applicable), and the Choral Organization/Ensemble
BOYLE: VOYAGES—Donald Nally, conductor (The Crossing)
With an exceptional focus on color, Donald Nally leads listeners through a major work from the most creative artist writing for voice in our modern era.
DURUFLÉ: COMPLETE CHORAL WORKS—Robert Simpson, conductor (Ken Cowan; Houston Chamber Choir)
Like the organ works from Durufle, the choral works are small in number but exceptionally created. This recording brings together all three of the composers’ major complete works led by Robert Simpson with Ken Cowan and The Houston Chamber Choir.
THE HOPE OF LOVING—Craig Hella Johnson, conductor (Conspirare)
The first full album dedicated to the choral works of Jake Runestad, The Hope of Living is a rare find album led by Grammy Winning Craig Hella Johnson and a selected professional ensemble that has captivated choral fans worldwide.
SANDER: THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM—Peter Jermihov, conductor (Evan Bravos, Vadim Gan, Kevin Keys, Glenn Miller & Daniel Shirley; PaTRAM Institute Singers)
A landmark work, this recording was commissioned from and composed by Dr. Kurt Sander. It is an original recording of Orthodox choral music and the first and only complete setting of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in the English- Language.
SMITH, K.: THE ARC IN THE SKY—Donald Nally, conductor (The Crossing)
From multiple Grammy award-winning chamber choir, The Crossing moves listeners with their new release, The Arc in the Sky. This breathtaking performance of the eponymous work by accomplished choral composer Kile Smith is based on texts by Robert Lax.
Best Chamber Music / Small Ensemble Performance
In this category, awards are given for new recordings of works with chamber or small ensembles (24 or fewer members, not including the conductor). One award may be given to the ensemble and one award may be given to the conductor, if applicable.
CERRONE: THE PIECES THAT FALL TO EARTH—Christopher Rountree & Wild Up
Conducted by Christopher Rountree, this long-awaited CD is comprised of three vocal cycles. More than three years in the making, this album grew out of Cerrone’s musical friendships with LA and NY based artists.
FREEDOM & FAITH—PUBLIQuartet
This album is composed of pieces from composers that have claimed their seat at the table of history with distinction, subversive power, and virtuosity—to the PUBLIQuartet, it’s an album that’s themed on variations of oppression and resilience.
PERPETULUM—Third Coast Percussion
Both the name of a song by Philip Glasson Third Coast Percussion’s latest album and the title of the album, too, this recording features world premiere recording of new works by Philip Glass, Gavin Bryars, Peter Martin, and Robert Dillon. For more information on Third Coast Percussion, check out our interview with Daniel Skidmore of Third Coast Percussion here.
RACHMANINOFF: HERMITAGE PIANO TRIO—Hermitage Piano Trio
The debut album of the Hermitage Trio’s multiple album recording deal with Reference recordings is compromised of the piano trios of Sergey Rachmaninoff, including Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G minor; Trio élégiaque No. 2 in D minor, Op. 9; and Vocalise.
SHAW: ORANGE—Attacca Quartet
Described by composer Caroline Shaw as a “garden that she and Attacca Quartet are tending,” Orange is a thrilling, unpredictable masterpiece that is full of lively detours and inexplicable textures.
Best Classical Instrumental Solo
In this category, the award is presented to the instrumental soloist (and the conductor if applicable).
THE BERLIN RECITAL—Yuja Wang
This album captures the white heat of solo works by Prokofiev, Scriabin, Ligeti, and Rachmaninov.
HIGDON: HARP CONCERTO—Yolanda Kondonassis; Ward Stare, conductor (The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra)
Lauded for affection detail and a keen sense of drama, this solo performance on the American Rapture album is filled with dramatic timing and range of color that Gramophone describes as breathtaking.
MARSALIS: VIOLIN CONCERTO; FIDDLE DANCE SUITE—Nicola Benedetti; Cristian Măcelaru, conductor (Philadelphia Orchestra)
A unique recording, this solo performance by Bendetti was created to celebrate the community and joining of different musical traditions and features The Philadelphia Orchestra.
THE ORCHESTRAL ORGAN—Jan Kraybill
The second solo recording at the Julia Irene Kauffman pipe organ at the Kauffman Center, the recording by Jan Kraybill is a disc of transcription of works originally written for orchestras or bands featuring works from Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Barber, Holst, and more.
TORKE: SKY, CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN—Tessa Lark; David Alan Miller, conductor (Albany Symphony)
A beautiful meld of classical forms imposed with Bluegrass, this soloist rendition evokes on the music of the people who settled Kentucky.
Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
In this category, the award is given to the vocalist, collaborative artist(s), producers, recording engineers or mixers with 51 percent or more playing time of the material.
THE EDGE OF SILENCE - WORKS FOR VOICE BY GYÖRGY KURTÁG—Susan Narucki (Donald Berman, Curtis Macomber, Kathryn Schulmeister & Nicholas Tolle)
From Grammy Award-winning American soprano Susan Narucki, this recording has a deep and lasting idiosyncratic fusion of poetry and music in a quintessential collection of some of the composer’s most iconoclastic vocal works.
HIMMELSMUSIK—Philippe Jaroussky & Céline Scheen; Christina Pluhar, conductor; L’Arpeggiata, ensemble (Jesús Rodil & Dingle Yandell)
Described by Gramophone as a musical destination, this classical solo vocal album takes what seems impossible and ubiquitous and churns out an unexpected, sensual, and expressive album with depth of color, lightness, and improvisatory freedom.
SCHUMANN: LIEDERKREIS OP. 24, KERNER-LIEDER OP. 35—Matthias Goerne; Leif Ove Andsnes, accompanist
This release marks the first album of Matthias Goerne and Leif Ove Andsnes after performing together on stage for several years. Though the song collection isn’t rare, the recording sheds light on love, loss, and exile.
SONGPLAY—Joyce DiDonato; Chuck Israels, Jimmy Madison, Charlie Porter & Craig Terry, accompanists (Steve Barnett & Lautaro Greco)
From an all-star mezzo-soprano, Joyce DiDonato greets you with a song in her heart and a twinkle in her eye with a world-class performance.
A TE, O CARA—Stephen Costello; Constantine Orbelian, conductor (Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra)
A recording full of warmth, healthy high notes, and a full-bodied delivery, this recording from Stephen Costello is rich, full of depth, and is as if Costello’s voice was ready-made to contour with the French of arias.
Best Classical Compendium
In this category, the award is given to the artist, to the album producer, and to the engineer(s) with over 51 percent playing time of the album (if other than the artist).
AMERICAN ORIGINALS 1918—John Morris Russell, conductor; Elaine Martone, producer
From John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, this release shows the inspired leadership and thoughtful programming of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s leaders and the versatility and virtuosity of the musicians.
LESHNOFF: SYMPHONY NO. 4 'HEICHALOS'; GUITAR CONCERTO; STARBURST—Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor; Tim Handley, producer
Filled with overflowing expressions of technique and musicality, this recording showcases musical intelligence as well as a magnificent sense of line. Even more, it’s a beautiful representation of the innate talent of an artist to let music breathe.
MELTZER: SONGS AND STRUCTURES—Paul Appleby & Natalia Katyukova; Silas Brown & Harold Meltzer, producers
Concise, colorful, and playful, this recording of Meltzer’s recent vocal and chamber works from the Metropolitan Opera Tenor Paul Appleby is sophisticated and technically accomplished.
THE POETRY OF PLACES—Nadia Shpachenko; Marina A. Ledin & Victor Ledin, producers
From multi-Grammy nominated pianist Nadia Shpachenko, this recording is a superb assemblage of works by various composers, each piece inspired by a particular building, weaving together a collage of time and place.
SAARIAHO: TRUE FIRE; TRANS; CIEL D'HIVER—Hannu Lintu, conductor; Laura Heikinheimo, producer
Performing works from one of the most prominent names in contemporary music today, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Hannu Lintu, presents a six-movement song cycle that was written a commission from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The NDR Symphony Orchestra, the BB Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestre National de France.
Best Contemporary Classical Composition
This category is a composer’s award for contemporary classical music composed within the last 25 years and released for the first time during the eligibility year.
BERMEL: MIGRATION SERIES FOR JAZZ ENSEMBLE & ORCHESTRA—Derek Bermel, composer (Derek Bermel, Ted Nash, David Alan Miller, Juilliard Jazz Orchestra & Albany Symphony Orchestra)
This series provides a generous view of the craftsmanship and eclectic style of Bermel, mixing classical forms with jazz, blues, and American folk music.
HIGDON: HARP CONCERTO—Jennifer Higdon, composer (Yolanda Kondonassis, Ward Stare & The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra)
Lauded for affection detail and a keen sense of drama, this solo performance on the American Rapture album is filled with dramatic timing and range of color that Gramophone describes as breathtaking.
MARSALIS: VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR—Wynton Marsalis, composer (Nicola Benedetti, Cristian Măcelaru & Philadelphia Orchestra)
A unique recording, this solo performance by Bendetti was created to celebrate the community and joining of different musical traditions and features The Philadelphia Orchestra.
NORMAN: SUSTAIN—Andrew Norman, composer (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)
This performance earned Grammy nominations in two key categories—best orchestral performance and best contemporary classical composition. This piece, described as a breakthrough for the composer, has also been noted as an “out of body acoustic experience” by the L.A. Times
SHAW: ORANGE—Caroline Shaw, composer (Attacca Quartet)
Described by composer Caroline Shaw as a “garden that she and Attacca Quartet are tending,” Orange is a thrilling, unpredictable masterpiece that is full of lively detours and inexplicable textures.
WOLFE: FIRE IN MY MOUTH—Julia Wolfe, composer (Jaap Van Zweden, Francisco J. Núñez, Donald Nally, The Crossing, Young People's Chorus Of NY City & New York Philharmonic)
A largely immersive visual and musical event that featured lights, chamber choir, and video projection, Fire in my Mouth was a force to be reckoned with when viewing in-person. The recording, however, is just as searingly vivid, an evocation of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.
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