Features / Classical

Classical Grammy Nominees: Best Vocal Performance

By Stephen Eddins

Jan. 9, 2009

The nominees for the Grammy awards have been announced, and AMG's classical editors will be taking a look at the contenders in various categories. The five nominees for Best Classical Vocal Performance represent an interesting mix of vocal styles and musical genres. The music itself is strongly weighted to the modern or the obscure. One of the pieces was written in the 21st century (John Corigliano's Mr. Tambourine Man, from 2003 with soprano Hila Plitmann), and two of the albums feature 20th century works (Charles Fussell's Wilde, from 1993, with baritone Sanford Sylvan, and Terezn: Music from Theresienstadt, with mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter). One album includes folksongs collected or composed around the turn of the 20th century (Gomidas Songs, with soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian). Only one is made up of 19th century works, most of which are pretty esoteric (Maria, with mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli).

Check out the samples and reviews. Which recording do you think deserves the Grammy?

Best Classical Vocal Performance

Corigliano: Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems Of Bob Dylan
Hila Plitmann (JoAnn Falletta; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)
[Naxos]