The sounds of success continue to resonate from the hallowed halls of Davies Symphony Hall as the San Francisco Symphony, under the baton of former music director Esa-Pekka Salonen, scores another Grammy nomination for Best Orchestral Performance. Their rendition of Igor Stravinsky's "Symphony in Three Movements," recorded live in concert, is now on track to possibly add another gilded gramophone to the orchestra's considerable collection, according to the San Francisco Symphony.
This isn't the ensemble's first rodeo; the Grammy nomination announced on Friday adds to an impressive streak – the ensemble's 32nd nod from the Recording Academy. The San Francisco Symphony's recording was captured during the California Festival in November 2023, before Salonen's unexpected departure announcement at the end of the 2024-25 season, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
"This recording reflects the collaborative spirit and remarkable artistry of both Esa-Pekka and our musicians," Matthew Spivey, CEO of the SF Symphony, said in a statement that reflects the ongoing admiration and gratitude for Salonen's work with the orchestra. These accolades serve as a testament to that enduring partnership, with the Grammy winner yet to be determined at the 68th annual ceremony, scheduled for February 1, 2026, to be aired live on CBS and Paramount+, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
While this could have been the final coda for nominations under Salonen's leadership, symphony spokesperson Taryn Lott confirmed the anticipation of future releases that may continue the bring accolades. Lott disclosed that the symphony intends to continue its recording pursuits post-Salonen, as the search for his successor remains underway. Meanwhile, the city's operatic scene shares the limelight with two nominations for the groundbreaking works “Intelligence” and “An American Soldier” in the Best Opera Recording category—an honorable achievement, not only for the composers and librettists but for a community deeply invested in stories that challenge and inspire.
Embodying such fervent narrative power, Jake Heggie's "Intelligence" and Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang's "An American Soldier" have both been shortlisted, the latter earning a Grammy nod for its poignant retelling of Private Danny Chen's tragic fate. "This nomination means the world to all of us who poured our hearts into making 'Intelligence' a powerful, dynamic and beautiful opera," Heggie said in a display of heartfelt acknowledgment of the work's importance, according to an interview by the San Francisco Chronicle.
