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, 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".
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.
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.__FORCETOC__
Recipients
+ Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition Year Composer Work Nominees 1961 Orchestral Suite from The Tender Land
1962 Laurindo Almeida Discantus
Igor Stravinsky Movements for Piano and Orchestra 1963 Igor Stravinsky The Flood: A Musical Play
1964 Benjamin Britten War Requiem
1965 Samuel Barber Piano Concerto
1966 Charles Ives Symphony No. 4
Award not presented from 1967 to 1984 1985 Samuel Barber Antony and Cleopatra
1986 Andrew Lloyd Webber Requiem
1987 Witold Lutosławski Symphony No. 3
1988 Krzysztof Penderecki Cello Concerto No. 2
1989 John Adams Nixon in China
1990 Steve Reich Different Trains
1991 Leonard Bernstein Arias and Barcarolles
1992 John Corigliano Symphony No. 1
1993 Samuel Barber The Lovers
1994 Elliott Carter Violin Concerto
1995 Stephen Albert Cello Concerto
1996 Olivier Messiaen Concert à quatre
1997 John Corigliano String Quartet No. 1
1998 John Adams El Dorado
1999 Krzysztof Penderecki Violin Concerto No. 2 "Metamorphosen"
2000 Pierre Boulez Répons
2001 George Crumb Star-Child
2002 Christopher Rouse Concert de Gaudí
2003 John Tavener Lamentations & Praises
2004 Dominick ArgentoCasa Guidi
2005 John Adams On the Transmigration of Souls
2006 William BolcomSongs Of Innocence And Of Experience
2007 Osvaldo Golijov Ainadamar
2008 Joan Tower Made In America
2009 John CoriglianoMr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems Of Bob Dylan
2010 Jennifer Higdon Percussion Concerto
2011 Michael Daugherty Deus ex Machina
2012Robert Aldridge Elmer Gantry
2013Stephen HartkeMeanwhile - Incidental Music To Imaginary Puppet Plays
2014Maria Schneider Winter Morning Walks
2015John Luther Adams Become Ocean
2016Stephen PaulusPrayers and Remembrances
2017Michael Daugherty Tales of Hemingway
2018Jennifer Higdon Viola Concerto
2019Aaron Jay Kernis Violin Concerto
2020Jennifer Higdon Harp Concerto
2021Christopher Rouse Symphony No. 5
2022Caroline ShawNarrow 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 112023Kevin PutsContactGrammys 2023 Winners: See the Full List Here|Pitchfork Andy Akiho - Ligneos Suite Derek Bermel - Intonations Sofia Gubaidulina - The Wrath of God Carlos Simon; Marco Pavé (librettist) - Requiem for the Enslaved2024Jessie MontgomeryRounds Thomas Adès - Dante Andy Akiho - In That Space, In That Time William Brittelle - Psychedelics Missy Mazzoli - Dark with Excessive Bright 20252025Gabriela OrtizRevolución Diamantina Andrea Cassarubios - Seven for Solo Cello Valerie Coleman - Revelry David Lang - Composition as Explanation Kaija Saariaho - Adriana Mater2026Gabriela OrtizDzonot Christopher Cerrone - Don't Look Down Donnacha Denehy - Land of Winter Tania León - Raíces (Origins) Shawn E. Okpebholo - Songs in Flight
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