Best Classical Instrumental Solo
The Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo recognizes excellence in classical instrumental solo recordings, including concertos and concerto-style works. The Grammy is awarded to the instrumental soloist(s) and conductor.
68th Annual Grammy Awards • 2026
Honoring recordings released between Aug 31, 2024 and Aug 30, 2025
Yo-Yo Ma won the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo with "Shostakovich: The Cello Concertos"
Winners & Nominees 2026
Winner
Nominees
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Shostakovich: The Cello Concertos
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Coleridge-Taylor: 3 Selections From '24 Negro Melodies'
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Hope Orchestrated
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Inheritances
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Price: Piano Concerto In One Movement In D Minor
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Shostakovich: The Piano Concertos; Solo Works
Previous Winners
| Year | Winner | Work | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Yo-Yo Ma, Andris Nelsons | Shostakovich: The Cello Concertos | All Nominees |
| 2025 | Víkingur Ólafsson | Bach: Goldberg Variations | All Nominees |
| 2024 | Yuja Wang, Teddy Abrams | The American Project | All Nominees |
| 2023 | Time For Three, Xian Zhang | Letters For The Future | All Nominees |
| 2022 | Jennifer Koh | Alone Together | All Nominees |
| 2021 | Richard O'Neill, David Alan Miller | Theofanidis: Concerto For Viola And Chamber Orchestra | All Nominees |
| 2020 | Nicola Benedetti, Cristian Măcelaru | Marsalis: Violin Concerto; Fiddle Dance Suite | All Nominees |
| 2019 | James Ehnes, Ludovic Morlot | Kernis: Violin Concerto | All Nominees |
| 2018 | Daniil Trifonov | Transcendental | All Nominees |
| 2017 | Zuill Bailey, Giancarlo Guerrero | Daugherty: Tales Of Hemingway | All Nominees |
| 2016 | Augustin Hadelich, Ludovic Morlot | Dutilleux: Violin Concerto, L'Arbre Des Songes | All Nominees |
| 2015 | Jason Vieaux | Play | All Nominees |
| 2014 | Evelyn Glennie, David Alan Miller | Corigliano: Conjurer - Concerto For Percussionist & String Orchestra | All Nominees |
| 2013 | Kim Kashkashian | Kurtág & Ligeti: Music For Viola | All Nominees |
| 2012 | Christopher Lamb, Giancarlo Guerrero | Schwantner: Concerto For Percussion & Orchestra | All Nominees |
