It’s GRAMMY Time at Subito!

Paulus_Sierra Grammy image 2
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On December 5, the 57th Annual GRAMMY Award Nominations were announced and two Subito titles received nominations for “Best Contemporary Classical Composition:” Roberto Sierra’s Sinfonía No. 4 (Naxos 8.559738) and Stephen Paulus’ Concerto For Two Trumpets & Band (MSR Classics 1506). Each nominated work is featured in its world premiere recording.

Sierra’s SinfoniaSierra Sinfonia No. 4 Naxos CD cover 2 red FB No. 4 was commissioned in 2008 by the Sphinx Foundation for its inaugural orchestral consortium project. The consortium consisted of: The Philadelphia Orchestra; the Cincinnati, Baltimore, Detroit, Grand Rapids, New Jersey, Richmond (VA), Nashville, and New World Symphonies; the Chicago Sinfonietta, and the Rochester Philharmonic. In October 2009, the Nashville Symphony premiered Sinfonia No. 4, with Giancarlo Guerrero conducting. Subsequent seasons showcased each orchestral partner presenting its own first performance as concerts extended through January 2011. Nashville revived the work again in spring 2012 and later recorded it on the Naxos label as part of a Sierra portrait disc. Sinfonia No. 4 is accompanied by world premiere recordings of the composer’s orchestral works Fandangos and Carnaval.

Paulus 2 Tpt Con CD coverPaulus’ 23-minute double concerto was originally commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra in celebration of its centennial season, and premiered in November 2003 led by Osmo Vanska. Concerto for Two Trumpets and Orchestra was written for the orchestra’s principal trumpet Manny Laureano and Doc Severinsen, who was — at that time — the orchestra’s principal pops conductor. Afterward, at the request of soloist Eric Berlin, Paulus subsequently transcribed the work for band; and, the commissioned re-working premiered in May 2007 on opening night of the International Trumpet Guild Conference hosted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Trumpeter Richard Kelley joined Berlin for the premiere with the United States Coast Guard Band conducted by Lieutenant Kenneth W. Megan. MSR Classics Grammy-nominated recording features Berlin and Kelly, along with the University of Massachusetts Wind Ensemble led by James Patrick Miller. Paulus’ music is published by Timepiece Publishing and is available through Subito Music.

The 57th annual GRAMMY Awards will air February 8, 2015, on CBS.