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.

61st Annual Grammy Awards • 2019

Honoring recordings released between Aug 31, 2017 and Aug 30, 2018

James Ehnes won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo with "Kernis: Violin Concerto"

Winners & Nominees 2019

Winner

Nominees

Kernis: Violin Concerto

James Ehnes, Ludovic Morlot
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2

Yuja Wang, Simon Rattle
Biber: The Mystery Sonatas

Christina Day Martinson, Martin Pearlman

Bruch: Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46; Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 26

Joshua Bell
Glass: Three Pieces In The Shape Of A Square

Craig Morris

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