Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition

Template:Short description Template:Infobox award The Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards,^[1] to composers for quality works of contemporary classical music. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".^[2]

The award was first presented in 1961 to Aaron Copland for his Orchestral Suite from The Tender Land Suite. It was not presented from 1967 to 1984. The Grammy is awarded to the composer(s) and the librettist (if applicable) of a classical piece composed in the last 25 years, and released for the first time during the eligibility year. The performing artist, orchestra, ensemble, etc., do not receive a Grammy (except if the performer is also the composer). Since its inception, the award has had several minor name changes.Template:Efn

Composers John Adams, Samuel Barber, John Corigliano and Jennifer Higdon are tied for the most wins in this category, with three each. Multiple composers have won twice: Michael Daugherty, Krzysztof Penderecki, Christopher Rouse and Igor Stravinsky. In one year, 1962, the award was given to two composers, Laurindo Almeida and Stravinsky.

Recipients

File:Aaron Copland 1970.JPG

Aaron Copland was the first recipient of the award.

File:Igor Stravinsky LOC 32392u.jpg

The composer Igor Stravinsky won in 1962 and 1963.

File:Samuel Barber.jpg

Three-time winner Samuel Barber (photograph by Carl Van Vechten).

File:Krzysztof Penderecki 20080706.jpg

The composer Krzysztof Penderecki, the winner in 1988 and 1999.

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Three-time winner John Adams.

File:20160403DominickArgentoByKingElder.jpg

2004 winner Dominick Argento.

File:Maria Schneider.jpg

2014 winner Maria Schneider.

File:Michael Daugherty.jpg

The composer Michael Daugherty who won in 2011 and 2017.

File:Caroline Shaw with Attacca Quartet and So Percussion at Miller Theater - 49517838252.jpg

2022 winner, Caroline Shaw

Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition^[3]
Year	Composer	Work	Nominees
1961	Template:Sortname	Orchestral Suite from The Tender Land Suite	Easley Blackwood Jr. – Symphony No. 1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Paul Hindemith – Sonata For Cello And PianoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Charles Ives – Symphony No. 2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Francis Poulenc – La voix humaineScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roger Sessions – Symphony No. 1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Igor Stravinsky – ThreniScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Edgard Varèse – Density 21.5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1962	Laurindo Almeida	Discantus	Francis Poulenc – Gloria In G MajorScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Elliott Carter – String Quartet No. 2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Gunther Schuller – Music For Brass QuintetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1962	Igor Stravinsky	Movements for Piano and Orchestra
1963	Igor Stravinsky	The Flood: A Musical Play	Edgard Varèse – ArcanaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Aaron Copland – ConnotationsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Benjamin Britten – Noye's FluddeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lukas Foss – Song Of SongsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". William Walton – Symphony No. 2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lukas Foss – Time CycleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1964	Benjamin Britten	War Requiem	Samuel Barber – Andromache's FarewellScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". John La Montaine – Concerto For PianoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Heitor Villa-Lobos – Cello Concerto No. 2 Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Dmitri Shostakovich – Symphony No. 4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". William Schuman – Symphony No. 8Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1965	Samuel Barber	Piano Concerto	Darius Milhaud – A Frenchman In New YorkScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Charles Ives – A Symphony: New England HolidaysScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Igor Stravinsky – A Sermon, a Narrative and a Prayer Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Leonard Bernstein – Symphony No. 3 "Kaddish"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1966	Charles Ives	Symphony No. 4	Leonard Bernstein – Chichester PsalmsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Benjamin Britten – Cantata misericordiumScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". David Diamond – String Quartet No. 4 Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Morton Gould – World War I SuiteScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". William Walton – Variations on a Theme by HindemithScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Award not presented from 1967 to 1984
1985	Samuel Barber	Antony and Cleopatra	Morton Gould – Apple WaltzesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Joseph Schwantner – Magabunda "Four poems of Agueda Pizarro"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Frank Zappa – "The Perfect Stranger"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Vincent Persichetti – Winter CantataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1986	Andrew Lloyd Webber	Requiem	John Adams – HarmoniumScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Philip Glass – SatyagrahaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". George Perle – Serenade No. 3 For Piano And Chamber OrchestraScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Robert Starer – Violin ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1987	Witold Lutosławski	Symphony No. 3	Robert Beaser – Mountain Songs: A Cycle Of American Folk MusicScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Chick Corea – SeptetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Philip Glass – String Quartet No. 2, CompanyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Ellen Taaffe Zwilich – Symphony No. 1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1988	Krzysztof Penderecki	Cello Concerto No. 2	John Adams – The Chairman DancesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Milton Babbitt – Piano ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Joseph Schwantner – A Sudden RainbowScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roger Sessions – Symphony No. 5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Michael Tippett – The Mask Of TimeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1989	John Adams	Nixon in China	Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Wadsworth – A Quiet PlaceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". William Bolcom – Symphony No. 4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Ned Rorem – String SymphonyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Karlheinz Stockhausen – AmourScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1990	Steve Reich	Different Trains	Sofia Gubaidulina – OffertoriumScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Witold Lutosławski – Chain 2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Witold Lutosławski – PartitaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Arvo Pärt – PassioScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1991	Leonard Bernstein	Arias and Barcarolles	John Adams – The Wound-DresserScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Henri Lazarof – Tableaux (After Kandinsky) For Piano And OrchestraScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Terry Riley – Salome Dances For PeaceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Ellen Taaffe Zwilich – Symphony No. 2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1992	John Corigliano	Symphony No. 1	Elliott Carter – Oboe ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Nicholas Maw – OdysseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Arvo Pärt – MiserereScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Dominick Argento – Te DeumScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1993	Samuel Barber	The Lovers	Anthony Davis – X, The Life and Times of Malcolm XScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Witold Lutosławski – Piano ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". John Tavener – The Protecting VeilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Ellen Taaffe Zwilich – Flute ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1994	Elliott Carter	Violin Concerto	Donald Erb – Cello ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Tōru Takemitsu – A Way A LoneScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Michael Tippett – ByzantiumScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". William Bolcom – Orphee-SerenadeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1995	Stephen Albert	Cello Concerto	György Ligeti – Piano ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Witold Lutosławski – Symphony No. 4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Olivier Messiaen – Éclairs sur l'au-delà...Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Tōru Takemitsu – Fantasma/CantosScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1996	Olivier Messiaen	Concert à quatre	Gunther Schuller – Of Reminiscences and ReflectionsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Ellen Taaffe Zwilich – Symphony No. 3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". John Adams – Chamber SymphonyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". György Ligeti – Violin ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1997	John Corigliano	String Quartet No. 1	John Adams – Violin ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Colin Matthews – Fourth SonataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Einojuhani Rautavaara – Symphony No. 7: "Angel of Light"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Gunther Schuller – Four SoundscapesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1998	John Adams	El Dorado	Lowell Liebermann – Concerto No. 2 For Piano And OrchestraScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Per Nørgård – Symphony No. 5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Richard Danielpour – Concerto For OrchestraScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Aaron Jay Kernis – Second SymphonyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1999	Krzysztof Penderecki	Violin Concerto No. 2 "Metamorphosen"	John Adams – Gnarly ButtonsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Elliott Carter – 90+Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Arvo Pärt – Kanon PokajanenScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". George Tsontakis – Ghost VariationsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2000	Pierre Boulez	Répons	Aaron Jay Kernis – Air For ViolinScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". John Tavener – Eternity's SunriseScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Thomas Adès – AsylaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Andrew Imbrie – RequiemScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2001	George Crumb	Star-Child	Heiner Goebbels – Surrogate CitiesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Nicholas Maw – Violin ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Ned Rorem – Evidence Of Things Not SeenScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Rodion Shchedrin – Concerto CantabileScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2002	Christopher Rouse	Concert de Gaudí	Poul Ruders – The Handmaid's TaleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". John Tavener – Total EclipseScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Pierre Boulez – Sur IncisesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2003	John Tavener	Lamentations & Praises	John Adams – Naïve and Sentimental MusicScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Osvaldo Golijov – Yiddishbbuk Inscriptions For String QuartetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Sofia Gubaidulina – Johannes-PassionScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Arvo Pärt – Orient & OccidentScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2004	Dominick Argento	Casa Guidi	George Rochberg – Symphony No. 5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". José Serebrier – Symphony No. 3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". György Kurtág – Signs, Games And MessagesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Benjamin Lees – Symphony No. 5 "Kalmar Nyckel"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2005	John Adams	On the Transmigration of Souls	Jennifer Higdon – Concerto For OrchestraScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Tigran Mansurian – "... and then I was in time again"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". André Previn – Violin ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Valentyn Silvestrov – Requiem For LarissaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2006	William Bolcom	Songs Of Innocence And Of Experience	Carlos Franzetti – Corpus EvitaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Ned Rorem – Nine Episodes For Four PlayersScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Osvaldo Golijov – AyreScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Peter Boyer – Ellis Island: The Dream of AmericaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2007	Osvaldo Golijov	Ainadamar	Elliott Carter – Boston ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Christopher Theofanidis – The Here And NowScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". David Del Tredici – Paul Revere's RideScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". James MacMillan – A Scotch BestiaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2008	Joan Tower	Made In America	Joan Albert Amargós – Northern ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". David Chesky – Concerto For Bassoon And OrchestraScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jennifer Higdon – ZakaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Peter Lieberson – Neruda SongsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2009	John Corigliano	Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems Of Bob Dylan	Marc-André Dalbavie – Flute ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Michael Gandolfi – The Garden Of Cosmic SpeculationScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". George Tsontakis – Violin Concerto No. 2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Chris Walden – Symphony No. 1, The Four ElementsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2010	Jennifer Higdon	Percussion Concerto	George Crumb – The Winds Of DestinyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Arvo Pärt – In PrincipioScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roberto Sierra – Missa Latina 'Pro Pace'Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Yehudi Wyner – Chiavi in ManoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2011	Michael Daugherty	Deus ex Machina	Hans Werner Henze – Appassionatamente PlusScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Magnus Lindberg – GraffitiScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Arvo Pärt – Symphony No. 4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Rodion Shchedrin – The Enchanted WandererScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2012	Robert Aldridge	Elmer Gantry	George Crumb – The Ghosts Of AlhambraScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jefferson Friedman – String Quartet No. 3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Steven Mackey – Lonely Motel - Music From SlideScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Poul Ruders – Piano Concerto No. 2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2013	Stephen Hartke	Meanwhile - Incidental Music To Imaginary Puppet Plays	Tania León – Inura For Voices, Strings & PercussionScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Uģis Prauliņš – The NightingaleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Einojuhani Rautavaara – Cello Concerto No. 2 Towards the HorizonScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Steven Stucky – August 4, 1964Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2014	Maria Schneider	Winter Morning Walks	Magnus Lindberg – Piano Concerto No. 2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Arvo Pärt – Adam's LamentScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Esa-Pekka Salonen – Violin ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Caroline Shaw – Partita for 8 VoicesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2015	John Luther Adams	Become Ocean	Anna Clyne – Prince of CloudsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". George Crumb – Voices From The HeartlandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Stephen Paulus – Concerto For Two Trumpets & BandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roberto Sierra – Sinfonía No. 4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2016	Stephen Paulus	Prayers and Remembrances	Gerald Barry – The Importance of Being EarnestScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Andrew Norman – PlayScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Joan Tower – StrokeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Julia Wolfe – Anthracite FieldsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2017	Michael Daugherty	Tales of Hemingway	Jennifer Higdon – Cold MountainScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Christopher Theofanidis – Bassoon ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Kip Winger – Conversations With NijinskyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Mason Bates – Anthology of Fantastic ZoologyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2018	Jennifer Higdon	Viola Concerto	Zhou Tian – Concerto For OrchestraScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Adam Schoenberg – Picture StudiesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Tigran Mansurian – RequiemScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Richard Danielpour – Songs Of SolitudeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2019	Aaron Jay Kernis	Violin Concerto	Jake Heggie – Great ScottScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Missy Mazzoli – Vespers For ViolinScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Mason Bates – The (R)evolution of Steve JobsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Du Yun – Air GlowScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2020	Jennifer Higdon	Harp Concerto	Derek Bermel – Migration Series For Jazz Ensemble & OrchestraScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Wynton Marsalis – Violin Concerto In D MajorScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Andrew Norman – SustainScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Caroline Shaw – OrangeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Julia Wolfe – Fire In My Mouth ShowScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2021	Christopher Rouse	Symphony No. 5	Carlisle Floyd – Prince of PlayersScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Ted Hearne – PlaceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Thomas Adès – Piano ConcertoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Richard Danielpour – The Passion Of YeshuaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2022	Caroline Shaw	Narrow Sea	Andy Akiho - Seven Pillars Louis Andriessen - The Only One Clarice Assad, Sérgio Assad, Sean Connors, Robert Dillon, Peter Martin & David Skidmore - Archetypes Jon Batiste - Movement 11
2023	Kevin Puts	Contact^[4]	Andy Akiho - Ligneos Suite Derek Bermel - Intonations Sofia Gubaidulina - The Wrath of God Carlos Simon; Marco Pavé (librettist) - Requiem for the Enslaved
2024	Jessie Montgomery	Rounds	Thomas Adès - Dante Andy Akiho - In That Space, In That Time William Brittelle - Psychedelics Missy Mazzoli - Dark with Excessive Bright
2025^[5]	Gabriela Ortiz	Revolución Diamantina	Andrea Cassarubios - Seven for Solo Cello Valerie Coleman - Revelry David Lang - Composition as Explanation Kaija Saariaho - Adriana Mater

Notes

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References

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Template:Grammy Award categories Template:Classical music awards Template:Portal bar

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↑ Grammys 2023 Winners: See the Full List Here|Pitchfork
↑ 2025

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[4] Grammys 2023 Winners: See the Full List Here|Pitchfork

[5] 2025

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Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition

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Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition

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