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Grammys 2015: Classical nominations for ‘City Noir,’ L.A.’s Partch

Members of the Partch percussion ensemble performing at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica in 2008.
(Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)
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The classical nominations for this year’s Grammy Awards include a diverse range of prominent names and pieces, with a recording of John Adams’ “City Noir” receiving two nominations and the Los Angeles ensemble Partch also netting two nods.

The Seattle Symphony also fared well, receiving multiple nominations for three different recordings.

“City Noir,” which was co-commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, had its world premiere at Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2009. The album receiving the nominations was recorded by the St. Louis Symphony under the baton of David Robertson.

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The recording was nominated in the categories of orchestral performance and engineered classical album.

The other nominees for orchestral performance include the Seattle Symphony for its album of Dutilleux’s Symphony No. 1; the Pittsburgh Symphony for its album of Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8; the Berlin Philharmonic for its album of Schumann’s Symphonies Nos. 1 to 4; and the Atlanta Symphony for its recording of Sibelius’ Symphonies Nos. 6 and 7.

Last month, the Atlanta Symphony reached a new labor deal with its musicians following a turbulent period that saw a two-month lockout and the departure of its president.

Partch, the L.A.-based percussion ensemble, received nominations for its album “Plectra & Percussion Dances” in the categories of classical compendium and chamber music /small ensemble performance.

The recording features the first complete performance of composer Harry Partch’s cycle, which has three parts.

Among the other notable classical nominees this year was John Luther Adams’ orchestral piece “Become Ocean,” for which the composer recently received the Pulitzer Prize for music.

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The Seattle Symphony’s recording of “Become Ocean,” conducted by music director Ludovic Morlot, was nominated in the category of contemporary classical composition. The other composers nominated in the category are Anna Clyne, George Crumb, Stephen Paulus and Roberto Sierra.

One of the oldest nominees in this year’s classical roster is 86-year-old Leon Fleisher. The venerated American pianist received a nomination for his album “All Things You Are,” his first solo recording in almost 30 years.

Twitter: @DavidNgLAT

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