UConn Professor Wins Grammy Award

STORRS, CT — A recording of compositions by UConn music professor Kenneth Fuchs and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra entitled, "Piano Concerto Spiritualist," won the Grammy Award on Sunday in the category of Best Classical Compendium.

It was the fourth Grammy nomination involving music by Fuchs performed by the London Symphony under the baton of renowned conductor JoAnn Falletta featuring guest soloists.

It was the first win.

"Spiritualist" was released by Naxos, the leading classical recording label in the world.

"Thank you to our extraordinary soloists and our American poet Judith G. Wolf, our extraordinary vocal coach and accompanist David Crane," Fuchs said on the stage at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. "My sincere thanks to Klaus Heymann [Naxos founder] for taking a chance on me 15 years ago, all our friends at Naxos of America, Naxos Hong Kong and Naxos Music Group all around the world and our generous donors who made this project possible."

Added Falletta, "This is a Grammy that truly belongs to a team, our team of great artists. But mostly, mostly the extraordinary composer whose music we did it for because it’s so amazing, Kenneth Fuchs."

The recording was produced by Tim Handley with soloists Jeffrey Biegel, pianist; Tim McAllister, saxophonist; Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, countertenor and D.J Sparr, electric guitarist. Cohen sang words by the poet Judith Wolf.

Funding for Piano Concerto ‘Spiritualist’ was provided in part by the Offices of Global Affairs, Vice President for Research and Dean’s Office of the School of Fine Arts at UConn.

Photo Credit: UConn; Video Credit: YouTube via UConn

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