New (and good) Music Wins Big at 2014 Grammys

A lot of great music was heard on the Grammy broadcast, along with some not so great.  Unfortunately, the Classical category is mostly relegated to pre-broadcast presentations and Lang Lang hoping the onstage pyrotechnics during his performance with Metallica don't ignite his piano. That said, the Grammys introduced me to a new (for me) composer and a new ensemble. American composer Maria Schneider took three Grammys - including the prizes for classical composition and classical vocal solo album - for Winter Morning Walks.  It features soprano Dawn Upshaw with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.  I highly recommend a listen.  It is lyrical, thought provoking music. The vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth is "a vocal project dedicated to mining the expressive potential of the human voice." Both are deserving of your time.  You can see the complete list of Classical Grammy winners here. Read Grammys 2014: Maria Schneider dominates in classical categories (LA Times) Listen to Roomful of Teeth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gaw8-oEHNxY Hear a conversation with Maria Schneider and John Clare from Texas Public Radio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS_Nltt-dCQ