Sure, we all can complain about the Grammy Awards. For me, the lack of representation of classical music and jazz on the telecast is just one of many disappointments. But before the glitz of the runway and glamour of the broadcast, several artists were acknowledged for their achievements in these genres.
The Naxos Group nearly ran the table at one of the best restaurants in Nashville last night. Their artists and imprints picked up a total of nine Grammy awards.
Noteworthy among the winners were Michael Daugherty, recognized for his Deux Ex Machina, and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra; they garnered 3 awards for their Naxos All-Daugherty recording (Best Contemporary Classical Composition, Best Orchestral Performance, Best Engineered Album, Classical).
The NSO has had quite a challenging year; they were compelled to vacate their performance space, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, for several months due to the severe flooding that struck the city in May, 2010. Now, they’re back in their renovated home and they have much to celebrate!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh6SRDE85AA[/youtube]
I was with Kristen Kuster, one of Mr. Daugherty’s colleagues here at the University of Michigan School of Music, last night as she received giddy text messages from him not only describing the excitement of winning the Grammy and the honor of the receiving the recognition that comes with it, but also identifying the celebrities that sat around him.
I don’t care how stuffy you are, winning a Grammy must be one of the coolest things a composer can hope for.
Many congratulations to a very worthy Grammy recipient!