Best Contemporary Classical Composition

BERMEL: MIGRATION SERIES FOR JAZZ ENSEMBLE & ORCHESTRA

Derek Bermel, composer (Derek Bermel, Ted Nash, David Alan Miller, Juilliard Jazz Orchestra & Albany Symphony Orchestra) 

Best Classical Instrumental Solo

TORKE: SKY, CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN

Tessa Lark; David Alan Miller, conductor (Albany Symphony)

Albany, NY- Albany, NY- The Recording Academy™ today announced the 2020 class of GRAMMY® award nominees, including the nominees for Best Classical Instrumental Solo and Best Contemporary Classical Composition. Among the list of notable nominees are five-time GRAMMY® nominee, David Alan Miller, and the Albany Symphony. Miller shares the nomination for Best Classical Instrumental Solo with violinist Tessa Lark for their recent recording of Michael Torke’s "Sky," his bluegrass-inspired violin concerto. The Orchestra’s recording of Derek Bermel’s “Migration Series” for Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra was nominated for Best Contemporary Classical Composition. Both recordings were released in August of 2019 and further expand the Albany Symphony's catalog of over 35 commercially released recordings that includes new and previously unrecorded works by living American composers.

"I am so excited and proud that not one, but two, remarkable new discs by the Albany Symphony have been nominated for Grammys this year," said David Alan Miller. "We've never before received two nominations in a single year. It is particularly noteworthy that these projects feature never-before-recorded works by two great American composers who have been members of our "Albany Symphony Family" for years, Michael Torke and Derek Bermel. It is also a great tribute to the brilliant musicians of the Albany Symphony to have been recognized in this way."

"Sky," the title track of the Albany Symphony’s third full-length album with composer Michael Torke and its first recording with Tessa Lark, was co-commissioned by the Albany Symphony and was premiered and recorded at the historic Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, NY. "Sky" was released on the Albany Records label. Bermel’s “Migration Series” for Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra was recorded in Troy, NY during the Albany Symphony’s annual American Music Festival. "Migration Series" was released on the NAXOS label.

In 2014, David Alan Miller won a GRAMMY® Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo with Dame Evelyn Glennie and the Albany Symphony. Miller received his second nomination in 2016 for Best Solo Vocal Album with Talise Trevigne for the Albany Symphony's recording of Christopher Rouses’ "Kabir Padavali." Miller was also nominated for Best Orchestral Performance in 2019 for a recording of music by Harbison, Stucky, and Ruggles with the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic.

TAKE A LISTEN!

NOW STREAMING on Spotify and Apple Music or anywhere you purchase your digital music. CD’s are available for purchase through the Albany Symphony Box Office at 518.694.3300. Members of the media are encouraged to contact Justin Cook at JustinC@AlbanySymphony.com.