Best Small Ensemble Performance

Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance
Awarded forquality performances by a small ensemble
CountryUnited States
Presented byNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
First awarded1997
Currently held byAttacca Quartet – Shaw: Evergreen (2023)
Websitegrammy.com

The Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance (from 2013: Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance) has been awarded since 1997. In its early years, its title included the addition "(with or without a conductor)".

In 1991 the Grammy for Best Chamber Music Performance also included small ensemble performances.

2012 overhaul and 2013 renaming

In 2012 the category was combined with the Best Chamber Music Performance category.

The restructuring of these categories was a result of the Recording Academy's wish to decrease the list of categories and awards. According to the Academy, "the Chamber category was folded into the Small Ensemble category, the only distinction having been the number of players in the group (Chamber being smaller), and the fact that Small Ensemble recording could, though not necessarily, employ a conductor." [1] In the new structure, recordings are eligible if the ensemble contains 24 or fewer members, not including the conductor.

In 2013, the category was renamed as Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance.

The award goes to the winning ensemble and its conductor (if applicable). The producer(s) and engineer(s) also receive an award if they have worked on over 50% of playing time on the album.

Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year.

Winners and nominees

Two-time winner Pierre Boulez.
Claudio Abbado won in 1998 with the Berliner Philharmonic.
1999 winners Steve Reich and Musicians.
Two-time winners, the vocal ensemble Chanticleer.
Conductor Jeff von der Schmidt has won twice, both times alongside the Southwest Chamber Music.
Russian conductor Yuri Bashmet won in 2008.
Charles Bruffy won the award in 2009 with the Phoenix Chorale.
Spanish conductor Jordi Savall won in 2011 alongside Hespèrion XXI and La Capella Reial de Catalunya.
American violinist Hilary Hahn won in 2015 with Cory Smythe.
Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja won in 2018 alongside the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
2019 winners Kronos Quartet.
Year Recipient(s) Work Nominees Ref.
1997 Pierre Boulez (conductor) and the Ensemble Inter-Contemporain Boulez: ...Explosante-Fixe...
[2]
1998 Claudio Abbado (conductor), Berliner Philharmonic "Hindemith: Kammermusik No. 1 With Finale 1921, Op. 24, No. 1"
  • Sian Edwards, conductor; Ensemble Modern – Adams: Chamber Symphony; Shaker Loops; Phrygian Gates for Solo Piano
  • Reinhard Goebel, conductor; Musica Antiqua Koln – Chaconne (Works of Blow, Corelli, Muffat, Etc.)
  • Peter Phillips, conductor; The Tallis Scholars – Ockeghem: Missa De Plus En Plus, Etc./Binchois: Missa Au Travail Suis, Etc.)
  • Philippe Herreweghe, conductor; Ensemble Vocal Europeen – Schein: The Fountains of Israel - Sacred Madrigals (O Herr, Ich Bin Dein Knecht; Ich Lasse Dich Nicht, Etc.)
  • Philip Pickett, conductor; Musicians of the Globe – Shakespeare's Musick - Songs and Dances from Shakespeare's Plays (Works Of Byrd, Dowland, Holborne, Etc.)
 [3]
1999 Steve Reich (conductor), Steve Reich and Musicians Reich: Music for 18 Musicians
  • Alexander Blachly, conductor; Pomerium – Creator of the Stars - Christmas Music for Earlier Times (Works of De Lassus, Du Fay, Byrd, Etc.)
  • Michael Riesman, conductor; Gyuto Monks; Monks of the Drukpa Order – Glass: Kundun - Music from the Original Soundtrack
  • Andrew Manze, conductor; Academy of Ancient Music – Handel: Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 (Nos. 1 - 12)
  • Steve Reich and Musicians – Reich: Music for 18 Musicians
  • James Rives-Jones, conductor; Voices of Change – Voces Americanas (Works of Rodriguez, Lavista, Sierra, Etc.)
 [4]
2000 Joseph Jennings (conductor) and Chanticleer Colors of Love - Works of Thomas, Stucky, Tavener & Rands
[5]
2001 Christian Gausch (producer), Wolf-Dieter Karwatky (engineer) and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Shadow Dances (Stravinsky Miniatures - Tango; Suite No. 1; Octet, etc.)
[6]
2002 Helmut Mühle (producer), Philipp Nedel (engineer), Gidon Kremer (producer & artist) and Kremerata Baltica After Mozart
[7]
2003 Steve Barnett (producer), Preston Smith (engineer), Joseph Jennings (conductor), Chanticleer & Handel & Haydn Society of Boston Tavener: Lamentations and Praises
[8]
2004 Jeff von der Schmidt (conductor) and Southwest Chamber Music "Chávez: Suite for Double Quartet"
[9]
2005 Jeff von der Schmidt (conductor) and Southwest Chamber Music Chávez - Complete Chamber Music, Vol. 2
[10]
2006 Pierre Boulez (conductor), Hilary Summers (performer), and Ensemble Intercontemporain Boulez: Le Marteau Sans Maître, Dérive 1 & 2
[11]
2007 Peter Rutenberg (conductor) and Los Angeles Chamber Singers' Cappella Padilla: Sun of Justice
[12]
2008 Yuri Bashmet (conductor) and Moscow Soloists; Michael Brammann, engineer; Philipp Nedel, producer Stravinsky: Apollo, Concerto In D; Prokofiev: 20 Visions Fugitives
  • Stile Antico – Music for Compline
  • Kenneth Slowik, conductor; Santa Fe Pro Musica – Mahler: Das Lied Von Der Erde
  • Frank Proto, conductor; Ensemble Sans Frontiere – Bridges - Eddie Daniels Plays the Music of Frank Proto
  • Swiss Baroque Soloists – Bach: Brandenburg Concertos
 [13]
2009 Charles Bruffy (conductor) and Phoenix Chorale Spotless Rose: Hymns To The Virgin Mary
[14]
2010 Paul Hillier (conductor); Robina G. Young, producer; Brad Michel, engineer/mixer and Ars Nova Copenhagen & Theatre of Voices Lang, David: The Little Match Girl Passion
[15]
2011 Jordi Savall, conductor; Hespèrion XXI & La Capella Reial de Catalunya Dinastia Borja
[16]
2012 Rinde Eckert (librettist/performer); Steven Mackey (composer/performer); David Frost, producer; Eighth Blackbird Mackey: Lonely Motel - Music from Slide
  • Gabriela Frank (composer and performer) and Alias Chamber Ensemble – Frank: Hilos
  • Richard Savino (conductor) and El Mundo – The Kingdoms of Castille
  • Patrick Dupré Quigley (conductor) and Seraphic Fire – A Seraphic Fire Christmas
  • The Bay Brass – Sound The Bells!
 [17]
2013 Eighth Blackbird Meanwhile
  • Modern Mandolin Quartet – Americana
  • ZOFO Duet – Mind Meld
  • Boston Symphony Chamber Players – Profanes et Sacrées
  • Los Angeles Percussion Quartet – Rupa-Khandha
 [18]
2014 Brad Wells & Roomful of Teeth Roomful of Teeth
[19]
2015 Hilary Hahn & Cory Smythe In 27 Pieces: The Hilary Hahn Encores
[20]
2016 Eighth Blackbird Filament
[21]
2017 Third Coast Percussion Steve Reich
[22]
2018 Patricia Kopatchinskaja & the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Death & the Maiden
[23]
2019 Laurie Anderson & the Kronos Quartet Landfall
[24]
2020 Attacca Quartet (ensemble); Antonio Oliart & Caroline Shaw (producers); Antonio Oliart (engineer) Shaw: Orange
[25]
2021 Pacifica Quartet; James Ginsburg (producer); Bill Maylone (engineer/mixer) Contemporary Voices
[26]
2022 Yo-Yo Ma & Emanuel Ax Beethoven: Cello Sonatas - Hope and Tears
[27]
2023 Attacca Quartet Shaw: Evergreen
[28]
2024 Roomful of Teeth Rough Magic

References

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  3. ^ "1998 Grammy Awards". www.infoplease.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  4. ^ "1999 Grammy Awards". www.infoplease.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  5. ^ "2000 Grammy Awards". www.infoplease.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  6. ^ "2001 Grammy Awards". www.infoplease.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  7. ^ "2002 Grammy Awards". www.infoplease.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  8. ^ "2003 Grammy Awards". www.infoplease.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  9. ^ "2004 Grammy Awards". www.infoplease.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  10. ^ "Rock On The Net: 47th Annual Grammy Awards – 2005". www.rockonthenet.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  11. ^ "Rock On The Net: 48th Annual Grammy Awards – 2006". www.rockonthenet.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  12. ^ "Rock On The Net: 49th Annual Grammy Awards – 2007". www.rockonthenet.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  13. ^ "Rock On The Net: 50th Annual Grammy Awards – 2008". www.rockonthenet.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  14. ^ "Rock On The Net: 51st Annual Grammy Awards – 2009". www.rockonthenet.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  15. ^ Bruno, Mike (January 31, 2010). "Grammy Awards 2010: The winners list". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  16. ^ "Grammy Awards 2011: Winners and nominees for 53rd Grammy Awards". Los Angeles Times. March 12, 2014. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  17. ^ THR Staff (February 12, 2012). "Grammy Awards 2012: Complete Winners And Nominees List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  18. ^ Billboard Staff (February 10, 2013). "Grammys 2013: Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  19. ^ Billboard Staff (January 26, 2014). "56th GRAMMY Awards: Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  20. ^ Billboard Staff (February 8, 2015). "Grammys 2015: And the Winners Are ..." Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  21. ^ Billboard Staff (February 15, 2016). "Grammy Awards 2016: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  22. ^ "2016 GRAMMY WINNERS". Grammy.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  23. ^ "2018 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Winners List". Grammy.com. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  24. ^ "2018 GRAMMY WINNERS". Grammy.com. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  25. ^ "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Winners & Nominations List". Grammy.com. November 20, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  26. ^ "2021 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominees List". Grammy.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  27. ^ "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List". Grammy.com. November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  28. ^ "2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Winners & Nominees List". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-02-06.