Andris Nelsons

Composer Gabriela Ortiz accepting Best Contemporary Classical Composition at the 68th GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony in Los Angeles, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Arts Desk

Classical artists make a statement at the 2026 Grammy Awards

Nate Chinen

Composers like Gabriela Ortiz and producers like Elaine Martone were among the classical artists who made pointed statements beyond the strictly musical at the 2026 Grammy Awards.

On her new album, Influences, Georgian pianist Mariam Batsashvili offers trademark Liszt interpretations alongside pieces by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

WRTI Spotlight

Sunday Classical: New Releases for June 2025

Mark Pinto

Pianists Yuja Wang and Mariam Batsashvili, organist Anna Lapwood and orchestras like the Boston and BBC Scottish Symphony are among those highlighted in the June 2025 edition of Sunday Classical: New Releases. Join host Mark Pinto on WRTI from 3-6 p.m on June 1 to hear highlights from each of these albums, and read his thoughts here.

"The music's kind of oozing out of not just his hands, but his whole body," Boston Symphony managing director Mark Volpe says of the orchestra's new music director, Andris Nelsons.

WRTI Picks from NPR Music

New Boston Symphony Music Director Andris Nelsons: 'It's Not A Job — It's Life'

Jeff Lunden

The 35-year-old Latvian conductor brings a sincerity and enthusiasm to his position, marking the end of a three-year period of uncertainty for one of America's oldest and most respected ensembles.