2020 Grammy nominees Nicola Benedetti (Photo: Andy Gotts) Joyce DiDonato (Photo: Simon Pauly), and Giancarlo Guerrero (Trophy background added by WFMT)
As we anticipate the 62nd Annual Grammys this weekend, WFMT has been lucky enough to share conversations and interviews with many of the nominated artists on wfmt.com. So we've compiled all the features with the conductors, composers, and musicians who have been recognized by the Recording Academy in the list below.
Violinist Nicola Benedetti
Benedetti spoke with us about her recent collaboration with the Wynton Marsalis, which garnered her a Grammy nod.
Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato
The star mezzo is nominated for her album Songplay. In 2018, she shared why she believes kids need a robust arts education.
Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero
We love the recordings of the Nashville Symphony music director, who made his CSO debut in May 2019. Turns out, the feeling's mutual! Guerrero told us that he grew up listening to WFMT in his native Costa Rica.
Conductor Sir Andrew Davis
Sir Andrew, whose successor at Lyric Opera music director was announced this Fall, gave us his thoughts on his distinguished 20 years at the helm of Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Harpist Yolanda Kondonassis
Kondonassis made her Grant Park Music Festival debut this past summer. In an onstage interview, she told us that Chicago was where she was first introduced to the harp!
Conductor Leonard Slatkin
The distinguished Detroit Symphony music director — who's nominated for his work on an album of Copland works — told WFMT his 10 favorite American masterpieces in 2015.
Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes
In September, the Norwegian pianist spoke about opening the CSO's 2019-20 season. He's nominated as an accompanist on Matthias Goerne's Schumann vocal album.
Conductor Manfred Honeck
The Pittsburgh Symphony music director — who's nominated for his work on a Bruckner album — shared his favorite quote, a revelatory remark from Mahler, with us in 2017.
Conductor Mei-Ann Chen
Chen, who is the music director of the Chicago Sinfonietta, talked with us just this past month to preview the orchestra's annual MLK tribute concert. Chen conducts on the albums of two producers have been nominated for Producer of the Year: James Ginsburg and Blanton Alspaugh.
Flutist Demarre and clarinetist Anthony McGill
The McGill brothers, who hail from Chicago's South Side, spoke with us about the Chicago organizations that helped them succeed in music this past summer. James Ginsburg, the producer of their latest album, was nominated for Producer of the Year.
Harpsichordist Jory Vinikour
Chicago area harpsichordist Jory Vinikour taught WFMT listeners how to play harpsichord repertoire on piano back in 2018. This year, James Ginsburg, the producer of Vinikour's album 20th Century Harpsichord Concertos, was nominated for Producer of the Year.
Conductor Scott Speck
Speck is the music director of the Chicago Philharmonic, the official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet. In 2018, he spoke with WFMT about the unique partnership of music and dance. He is the conductor on the above album.
The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards are Sunday, January 26. For a full list of 2020's classical music Grammy nominees (and winners, once announced), click here.
