67th Grammy Award Nominations Highlight Female Composers

Kaija Saariaho Working in her studio, rue d’Amsterdam, Paris, 2019 © Maarit Kutoharjo

Kaija Saariaho Working in her studio, rue d’Amsterdam, Paris, 2019 © Maarit Kutoharjo

On November 8th, the 67th Grammy Award nominations were announced. While Beyoncé made headlines in the pop realm, the classical realm was notably full of female composers.

What’s up: On November 8th, the 2025 Grammy Nominees were announced. While Beyoncé became the most-ever nominated artist, garnering 11 nominations for her album Cowboy Carter to add to a total of 99 career nominations. Meanwhile, in the classical realm, 4 out of 5 nominees for best contemporary composition were women. They include Andrea Casarrubios for her album “Seven for Solo Cello,” Valerie Coleman for “Revelry,” David Lang for “Composition as Explanation,” Gabriela Ortiz for “Revoluciòn Diamantina,” and Kaija Saariaho for “Adriana Mater.”

Tell me more: Other news in the classical realm included Metropolitan Opera maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin racking up 3 nominations for leading Maestro Soundtrack and the Met’s recordings of The Hours and Florencía en el Amazonas. The trendy Icelandic pianist Vikingur Òlafsson was nominated for Bach’s Goldberg Variations and in the vocal category, performances of works by Jennifer Jolley, Carrie Magin, Jonathan Newman, Florence Price, Benedict Sheehan, and Richard Wagner were recognized.

After a disheartening geopolitical week for many fans of art and culture, it’s nice to witness diversity and innovation being recognized in the music world. Good luck in L.A., folx.

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Sara Schabas

Sara Schabas is a Dora-nominated soprano, writer and yoga teacher. She has performed and created leading roles with companies including Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, the Dayton Opera, and Aspen Opera, and is a former member of Barbara Hannigan’s Equilibrium Young Artists. Currently based in Montreal, she is a doctoral student at McGill University — where she recently received the Wirth Vocal Prize — and editor of Art Song Canada magazine.