1981 Grammy Awards (23rd) – Complete List of Winners and Nominees
Held on February 25, 1981, the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards celebrated music from October 1, 1979, to September 30, 1980. Christopher Cross achieved a rare and remarkable "Big Four" sweep, taking home Album of the Year for his self-titled debut, Record of the Year for his serene hit "Sailing," Song of the Year also for "Sailing," and the prestigious Best New Artist award.
This unprecedented clean sweep underscored his immediate and immense commercial and critical success. Other notable winners included Barbara Mandrell for her country achievements and Frank Sinatra.
This ceremony prominently highlighted the rise and widespread appeal of soft rock and adult contemporary music, which resonated broadly with audiences and enjoyed significant commercial success at the time, marking a distinct sound of the early 1980s.
Record Of The Year
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Christopher Cross | Sailing |
| Nominee | Barbra Streisand | Woman In Love |
| Nominee | Frank Sinatra | Theme From New York, New York |
| Nominee | Bette Midler | The Rose |
| Nominee | Kenny Rogers | Lady |
Album Of The Year
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Christopher Cross | Christopher Cross |
| Nominee | Frank Sinatra | Trilogy: Past, Present And Future |
| Nominee | Pink Floyd | The Wall |
| Nominee | Barbra Streisand | Guilty |
| Nominee | Billy Joel | Glass Houses |
Song Of The Year
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Christopher Cross | Sailing |
| Nominee | Barbra Streisand | Woman In Love |
| Nominee | Frank Sinatra | Theme From New York, New York |
| Nominee | Bette Midler | The Rose |
| Nominee | Kenny Rogers | Lady |
| Nominee | Irene Cara | Fame |
Best New Artist
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Christopher Cross | - |
| Nominee | How Do I Survive | - |
| Nominee | Robbie Dupree | - |
| Nominee | Irene Cara | - |
| Nominee | The Pretenders | - |
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Bette Midler | The Rose |
| Nominee | Barbra Streisand | Woman In Love |
| Nominee | Donna Summer | On The Radio |
| Nominee | Olivia Newton-John | Magic |
| Nominee | Irene Cara | Fame |
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Kenny Loggins | This Is It |
| Nominee | Frank Sinatra | Theme From New York, New York |
| Nominee | Paul Simon | Late In The Evening |
| Nominee | Kenny Rogers | Lady |
| Nominee | Christopher Cross | Christopher Cross |
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb | Guilty |
| Nominee | The Pointer Sisters | He's So Shy |
| Nominee | Kenny Rogers And Kim Carnes | Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer |
| Nominee | Ambrosia | Biggest Part Of Me |
| Nominee | Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band | Against The Wind |
Best Pop Instrumental Performance
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Bob James & Earl Klugh | One On One |
| Nominee | John Williams | Yoda's Theme |
| Nominee | The Doobie Brothers | South Bay Strut |
| Nominee | Henry Mancini, conductor | Ravel's Bolero |
| Nominee | Herb Alpert | Beyond |
Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Pat Benatar | Crimes Of Passion |
| Nominee | Linda Ronstadt | How Do I Make You |
| Nominee | Joan Armatrading | How Cruel |
| Nominee | Grace Slick | Dreams |
| Nominee | Marianne Faithful | Broken English |
Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Billy Joel | Glass Houses |
| Nominee | Bruce Springsteen | Medley: Devil With The Blue Dress/Good Golly Miss Molly/Jenny Take A Ride |
| Nominee | Kenny Loggins | I'm Alright (Theme From Caddyshack) |
| Nominee | Paul McCartney | Coming Up (Live At Glasgow) |
| Nominee | Jackson Browne | Boulevard |
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band | Against The Wind |
| Nominee | Pink Floyd | The Wall |
| Nominee | Blondie | Call Me |
| Nominee | The Pretenders | Brass In Pocket (I'm Special) |
| Nominee | Queen | Another One Bites The Dust |
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | The Police | Reggatta De Blanc |
| Nominee | The Pretenders | Space Invader |
| Nominee | Emerson, Lake And Palmer | Peter Gunn |
| Nominee | Dixie Dregs | Dregs Of The Earth |
| Nominee | Jean-Luc Ponty | Beach Girl |
Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Stephanie Mills | Never Knew Love Like This Before |
| Nominee | Diana Ross | Upside Down |
| Nominee | Roberta Flack | Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway |
| Nominee | Minnie Riperton | Love Lives Forever |
| Nominee | Aretha Franklin | Can't Turn You Loose |
Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | George Benson | Give Me The Night |
| Nominee | Larry Graham | One In A Million You |
| Nominee | Al Jarreau | Never Givin' Up |
| Nominee | Stevie Wonder | Master Blaster (Jammin') |
| Nominee | Jermaine Jackson | Let's Get Serious |
Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Manhattans | Shining Star |
| Nominee | The Jacksons | Triumph |
| Nominee | Commodores | Heroes |
| Nominee | The Spinners | Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time |
| Nominee | Roberta Flack With Donny Hathaway | Back Together Again |
| Nominee | Gladys Knight And The Pips | About Love |
Best R&B Instrumental Performance
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | George Benson | Off Broadway |
| Nominee | B.B. King | When I'm Wrong |
| Nominee | Brothers Johnson | Smilin' On Ya |
| Nominee | Eumir Deodato | Night Cruiser |
| Nominee | David Sanborn | Anything You Want |
Best Rhythm & Blues Song
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Stephanie Mills | Never Knew Love Like This Before |
| Nominee | Diana Ross | Upside Down |
| Nominee | The Manhattans | Shining Star |
| Nominee | Stevie Wonder | Let's Get Serious |
| Nominee | George Benson | Give Me The Night |
Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal Or Instrumental
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | The Manhattan Transfer | Birdland |
| Nominee | Chuck Mangione | Fun And Games |
| Nominee | Earl Klugh | Dream Come True |
| Nominee | Spyro Gyra | Catching The Sun |
| Nominee | Patrick Williams | An American Concerto |
| Nominee | Pat Metheny Group | American Garage |
Best Country Vocal Performance, Female
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Anne Murray | Could I Have This Dance? |
| Nominee | Barbara Mandrell | The Best Of Strangers |
| Nominee | Emmylou Harris | Roses In The Snow |
| Nominee | Crystal Gayle | If You Ever Change Your Mind |
| Nominee | Sissy Spacek | Coal Miner's Daughter |
Best Country Vocal Performance, Male
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | George Jones | He Stopped Loving Her Today |
| Nominee | Willie Nelson | On The Road Again |
| Nominee | Johnny Lee | Lookin' For Love |
| Nominee | George Burns | I Wish I Was Eighteen Again |
| Nominee | Eddie Rabbitt | Drivin' My Life Away |
Best Country Performance Duo Or Group
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Emmylou Harris & Roy Orbison | That Lovin' You Feelin' Again |
| Nominee | Larry Gatlin And The Gatlin Brothers Band | Take Me To Your Lovin' Place |
| Nominee | The Charlie Daniels Band | In America |
| Nominee | The Oak Ridge Boys | Heart Of Mine |
| Nominee | Tanya Tucker And Glen Campbell | Dream Lover |
Best Country Instrumental Performance
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Gilley's Urban Cowboy Band | Orange Blossom Special/Hoedown |
| Nominee | Ry Cooder | The Long Riders |
| Nominee | Chet Atkins | Dance With Me |
| Nominee | Floyd Cramer | Dallas |
| Nominee | Danny Davis And The Nashville Brass | Cotton Eyed Joe |
Best Country Song
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Willie Nelson | On The Road Again |
| Nominee | Johnny Lee | Lookin' For Love |
| Nominee | Don Williams | I Believe In You |
| Nominee | George Jones | He Stopped Loving Her Today |
| Nominee | Eddie Rabbitt | Drivin' My Life Away |
Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary Or Inspirational
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Reba Rambo, Dony McGuire, B.J. Thomas, Andrae Crouch, Walter Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Cynthia Clawson, The Archers | The Lord's Prayer |
| Nominee | Michael And Stormie Omartian | The Builder |
| Nominee | The Imperials | One More Song For You |
| Nominee | Amy Grant | Never Alone |
| Nominee | Andrae Crouch | It's Gonna Rain |
Best Gospel Performance, Traditional
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Blackwood Brothers | We Come To Worship |
| Nominee | Jimmy Swaggart | Worship |
| Nominee | The Lanny Wolfe Trio | Make A Joyful Noise... |
| Nominee | The Speers | Interceding |
| Nominee | Kenneth Copeland | In His Presence |
| Nominee | The Singing Rambos | Crossin' Over |
Best Soul Gospel Performance, Contemporary
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Shirley Caesar | Rejoice |
| Nominee | The Dynamic Disciples | You Don't Know What God Has Done For Me |
| Nominee | Tramaine Hawkins | Tramaine |
| Nominee | The Rance Allen Group | I Feel Like Going On |
| Nominee | Kristle Murden | I Can't Let Go |
Best Soul Gospel Performance, Traditional
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | James Cleveland & The Charles Fold Singers | Lord, Let Me Be An Instrument |
| Nominee | Albertina Walker With James Cleveland | Please Be Patient With Me |
| Nominee | O'Neal Twins | He Chose Me |
| Nominee | Dorothy Norwood | God Can |
| Nominee | Gospel Keynotes | Ain't No Stopping Us Now |
| Nominee | James Cleveland And The Voices Of Cornerstone | A Praying Spirit |
Best Inspirational Performance
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Debby Boone | With My Song I Will Praise Him |
| Nominee | Bob Dylan | Saved |
| Nominee | Commodores | Jesus Is Love |
| Nominee | Willie Nelson | Family Bible |
| Nominee | B.J. Thomas | Everything Always Works Out For The Best |
Best Ethnic Or Traditional Recording
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | (Various Artists) | Rare Blues |
| Nominee | Queen Ida | Queen Ida And The Bon Temps Zydeco Band In New Orleans |
| Nominee | Eddie Cleanhead Vinson | Kidney Stew Is Fine |
| Nominee | The Chieftains | Boil The Breakfast Early |
| Nominee | Buddy Moss, Blind Willie McTell, Curley Weaver | Atlanta Blues: 1933 |
Best Latin Recording
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Cal Tjader | La Onda Va Bien |
| Nominee | Ray Barretto | Rican/Struction |
| Nominee | Irakere | Irakere 2 |
| Nominee | Julio Iglesias | Hey |
| Nominee | Tito Puente | Dancemania '80 |
Best Recording For Children
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | (Various Artists) | In Harmony/A Sesame Street Record |
| Nominee | Sesame Street Muppets | The People In Your Neighborhood |
| Nominee | Sesame Street Muppets And Cast | Love |
| Nominee | Muppets And Sesame Street Characters | Christmas Eve On Sesame Street |
| Nominee | Big Bird | Big Bird's Birdtime Stories |
Best Comedy Recording
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Rodney Dangerfield | No Respect |
| Nominee | Monty Python | Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album |
| Nominee | Gilda Radner | Live From New York |
| Nominee | Father Guido Sarducci | Live At St. Douglas Convent |
| Nominee | Richard Pryor | Holy Smoke |
Best Spoken Word, Documentary Or Drama Recording
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Pat Carroll | Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein |
| Nominee | Orson Welles | Obediently Yours; Orson Welles |
| Nominee | Mahalia Jackson | I Sing Because I'm Happy Volsumes 1 And 2 |
| Nominee | The Empire Strikes Back (Original Cast W/Narration) | Adventures Of Luke Skywalker |
| Nominee | Peter Ustinov | A Curb In The Sky |
Best Instrumental Composition
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | John Williams, composer (John Williams) | The Empire Strikes Back |
| Nominee | John Williams, composer (John Williams) | Yoda's Theme |
| Nominee | John Williams, composer (John Williams) | Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) |
| Nominee | Chuck Mangione, composer (Chuck Mangione) | Give It All You Got |
| Nominee | Patrick Williams, composer (Patrick Williams) | An American Concerto |
Best Album Of Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or A Television Special
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | John Williams, composer (John Williams) | The Empire Strikes Back |
| Nominee | Robby Campbell, Brian Collins, Dan Fogelberg, David Foster, Jerry Foster, Wayland Holyfield, Bob House, Wanda Mallette, Bob Morrison, Bill Rice, Patti Russell, Boz Scaggs, Bob Seger, J.D. Souther, Joe Walsh & Johnny Wilson, composers (Various Artists) | Urban Cowboy |
| Nominee | Stephanie Andrews, Michael Sembello, Stevie Wonder & Yvonne Wright, composers (Stevie Wonder) | Stevie Wonder's Journey Through The Secret Life Of Of Plants |
| Nominee | Paul Simon, composer (Paul Simon) | One Trick Pony |
| Nominee | Robert F. Colesberry, Anthony Evans, Lesley Gore, Michael Gore, Paul McCrane & Dean Pitchford, composers (Various Artists) | Fame |
Best Cast Show Album
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer; Tim Rice, lyricist; Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice, producers (Various Artists) | Evita - Premier American Recording |
| Nominee | Carl Seltzer & Jerry Wexler, producers (Various Artists) | One Mo' Time |
| Nominee | Thomas Z. Shepard, producer (Various Artists) | Oklahoma |
| Nominee | Michael Stewart, composer; Mike Berniker, producer (Various Artists) | Barnum |
| Nominee | Frank Lazarus & Trevor Lyttleton, composers; Dick Vosburgh, lyricist; Hugh Fordin, producer (Various Artists) | A Day In Hollywood/A Night In The Ukraine |
Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Ella Fitzgerald | A Perfect Match - Ella And Basie |
| Nominee | Betty Carter | The Audience With Betty Carter |
| Nominee | Sarah Vaughan | Sarah Vaughan: Duke Ellington Song Book One |
| Nominee | Helen Humes | Helen Humes And The Muse All Stars |
| Nominee | Helen Merrill | Chasin' The Bird |
Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | George Benson | Moody's Mood |
| Nominee | Mel Tormé | Tormé/A New Album |
| Nominee | Bill Henderson | Street Of Dreams |
| Nominee | Slam Stewart | Sidewalks Of New York |
| Nominee | Mark Murphy | Satisfaction Guaranteed |
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Bill Evans, soloist | I Will Say Goodbye |
| Nominee | Phil Woods, soloist | The Phil Woods Quartet - Volume One |
| Nominee | Hank Jones, soloist | I Remember You |
| Nominee | Jimmy Knepper, soloist | Cunningbird |
| Nominee | Pepper Adams, soloist | Chasin' The Bird |
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Bill Evans | We Will Meet Again |
| Nominee | Phil Woods | Phil Woods Quartet - Volume One |
| Nominee | The Heath Brothers | Live At The Public Theatre |
| Nominee | Nick Brignola | L.A. Bound |
| Nominee | Hank Jones | I Remember You |
| Nominee | Bobby Shew | Bobby Shew, Outstanding In His Field |
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Count Basie | On The Road |
| Nominee | Rob McConnell And The Boss Brass | Present Perfect |
| Nominee | Bob Florence Big Band | Live At Concerts By The Sea |
| Nominee | Toshiko Akiyoshi And Lew Tabackin Big Band | Farewell |
| Nominee | Louis Bellson Big Band | Dynamite |
| Nominee | Mel Lewis And The Jazz Orchestra | Bob Brookmeyer Composer/Arranger |
Best Instrumental Arrangement
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Jerry Hey & Quincy Jones, arrangers (George Benson) | Dinorah, Dinorah |
| Nominee | Claus Ogerman, arranger (Antonio Carlos Jobim) | Wave |
| Nominee | Bob Brookmeyer, arranger (Mel Lewis) | Skylark |
| Nominee | Dave Grusin, arranger (Dave Valentin) | Marcosinho |
| Nominee | Jorge Calandrelli, arranger (Eddie Daniels) | Forget The Woman |
Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Christopher Cross & Michael Omartian, arrangers (Christopher Cross) | Sailing |
| Nominee | Don Costa, arranger (Frank Sinatra) | Theme From New York, New York |
| Nominee | Rob McConnell, arranger (The Singers Unlimited) | Tangerine |
| Nominee | David Cunningham, arranger (The Flying Lizards) | Money |
| Nominee | Burleigh Drummond, David Pack & Joe Puerta, arrangers (Ambrosia) | Biggest Part Of Me |
Best Arrangement For Voices
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Janis Siegel, arranger (Manhattan Transfer) | Birdland |
| Nominee | Jay Graydon & Alan Paul, arrangers (Manhattan Transfer) | Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone |
| Nominee | Gene Puerling, arranger (The Singers Unlimited) | Sweet Georgia Brown |
| Nominee | Rod Temperton, arranger (George Benson) | Give Me The Night |
| Nominee | Burleigh Drummond, David Pack & Joe Puerta, arrangers (Ambrosia) | Biggest Part Of Me |
Best Album Package
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Roy Kohara, art director (Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band) | Against The Wind |
| Nominee | Nahas Vigon, art director (Fleetwood Mac) | Tusk |
| Nominee | Paula Scher, art director (Bob James And Earl Klugh) | One On One |
| Nominee | John Berg, art director (Chicago) | Chicago XIV |
| Nominee | Ron Coro & Johnny B. Lee, art directors (Various Artists) | Cats |
Best Album Notes
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | David McClintick, album notes writer (Frank Sinatra) | Trilogy: Past, Present And Future |
| Nominee | John McDonough & Richard M. Sudhalter, album notes writers (Lester Young) | Lester Young (Giants Of Jazz) |
| Nominee | Lorene Lortie, album notes writer (Elvis Presley) | Elvis Aron Presley |
| Nominee | Dan Morgenstern, album notes writer (Louis Armstrong) | Chicago Concert - 1956 |
| Nominee | Bruce Bastin & David Evans, album notes writers (Blind Willie McTell, Curley Weaver, Buddy Moss) | Atlanta Blues: 1933 |
Best Historical Reissue Record
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | (Andres Segovia) | Segovia - The EMI Recordings 1927-39 |
| Nominee | (The Guitars) | The Guitars (Giants Of Jazz) |
| Nominee | (Various Artists) | Songs Of The Depression: Happy Days Are Here Again |
| Nominee | (Various Artists) | First Edition/The Golden Age Of Broadway |
| Nominee | (Thomas Alva Edison) | Early History Of The Phonograph Record With Thomas Alva Edison |
Best Engineered Recording - Non-Classical
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | James Guthrie, engineer (Pink Floyd) | The Wall |
| Nominee | Bill Schnee, engineer (Don Randi And Quest) | New Baby |
| Nominee | Bill Schnee, engineer (Lincoln Mayorga And Amanda McBroom) | Growing Up In Hollywood Town |
| Nominee | Bruce Swedien, engineer (George Benson) | Give Me The Night |
| Nominee | Chet Himes, engineer (Christopher Cross) | Christopher Cross |
Producer Of The Year (Non-Classical)
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Phil Ramone | - |
| Nominee | Quincy Jones (producer) | - |
| Nominee | Stevie Wonder (producer) | - |
| Nominee | Michael Omartian (producer) | - |
| Nominee | Mack, Queen | - |
Best Classical Album
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Pierre Boulez, artist; Gunther Breest & Michael Horwath, producers | Berg: Lulu (Complete Version) |
| Nominee | Michael Tilson Thomas, artist; Steven Epstein, producer | Ruggles: Complete Music |
| Nominee | Georg Solti, artist; Raymond Minshull, producer | Bruckner: Symphony 6 In A Major |
| Nominee | Seiji Ozawa & Itzhak Perlman, artists; Rainer Brock, producer | Berg: Concerto For Violin And Orchestra/Stravinsky: Concerto In D Major For Violin And Orchestra |
| Nominee | Zubin Mehta & Pinchas Zukerman, artists; Andrew Kazdin, producer | Bartók: Concerto For Violin And Orchestra |
Best Classical Orchestral Recording
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Georg Solti, conductor (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) | Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 In A |
| Nominee | (New York Philharmonic) | Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 |
| Nominee | (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra) | Ruggles: Complete Music |
| Nominee | (Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra) | Respighi: Feste Romane/Fountains Of Rome |
| Nominee | (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) | Beethoven: Symphonies (9) |
Best Opera Recording
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Pierre Boulez, conductor; Gunther Breest & Michael Horwath, producers (Orchestre De L'Opera De Paris) | Berg: Lulu (Complete Version) |
| Nominee | Julius Rudel; Eric Salzman, producer (New York City Opera Chorus; New York City Opera Orchestra) | Weill: Silverlake |
| Nominee | James Levine; John Mordler, producer (Ambrosian Opera Chorus; National Philharmonic Orchestra) | Puccini: La Boheme |
| Nominee | Herbert von Karajan; Michel Glotz, producer (Berliner Philharmonic) | Debussy: Pelleas Et Melisande |
| Nominee | Georg Solti; Christopher Raeburn, producer (London Philharmonic) | Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle |
Best Choral Performance, Classical (Other Than Opera)
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Norbert Balatsch, chorus master; Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor (Philharmonia Chorus; Philharmonia Orchestra) | Mozart: Requiem |
| Nominee | John Oliver, chorus master (Tanglewood Festival Chorus; Boston Symphony Orchestra) | Schoenberg: Gurrelieder |
| Nominee | Richard Hickox, chorus master (London Symphony Chorus; London Symphony Orchestra) | Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky |
| Nominee | (Michigan University Chamber Choir; Michigan University Chamber Ensemble) | Menotti: The Unicorn/The Gorgon And The Manticore |
| Nominee | (Atlanta Symphony Chorus; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) | Boito: Prologue To Mefistofele |
Best Chamber Music Performance
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Itzhak Perlman & Pinchas Zukerman, artists | Play Music For Two Violins (Moszkowski: Suite For Two Violins/Shostakovich: Duets/Prokofiev: Sonata For Two Violins) |
| Nominee | Juilliard String Quartet (Earl Carlyss, Joel Krosnick, Robert Mann & Samuel Rhodes), artists | Schubert: Quartet No. 15 In G Major, Op. 161 |
| Nominee | Daniel Barenboim, Claude Desurmont, Albert Tetard & Luben Yordanoff, artists | Messiaen: Quartet For The End Of Time |
| Nominee | Marc Neikrug & Pinchas Zukerman, artists | Debussy: Sonata No. 3 In G Minor For Violin And Piano/ Faure Sonata In A Major For Violin And Piano |
| Nominee | Cleveland Quartet (Martha Strongin Katz, Paul Katz, Peter Salaff & Donald Weilerstein), artists | Beethoven: Early Quartets, Op. 18 |
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist Or Soloists (With Orchestra)
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Itzhak Perlman & Mstislav Rostropovich, artists (Concertgebouw Orchestra) | Brahms: Violin And Cello Concerto In A Minor (Double Concerto) |
| Winner | Itzhak Perlman, artist (Boston Symphony Orchestra) | Berg: Violin Concerto/Stravinsky: Violin Concerto In D |
| Nominee | Gerard Schwarz, artist | The Classic Trumpet Concerti Of Haydn And Hummel |
| Nominee | James Galway, artist | Telemann: Concertos In G And C For Flute And Suite In A Minor |
| Nominee | Pinchas Zukerman, artist | Bartók: Concerto For Violin And Orchestra |
| Nominee | Maurice Andre, artist | Bach For Trumpet |
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist Or Soloists (Without Orchestra)
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Itzhak Perlman, artist | The Spanish Album |
| Nominee | Ruth Laredo, artist | Rachmaninoff: Music For Piano, Vol. 7 (Sonatas Nos. 1 And 2) |
| Nominee | Leo Smit, artist | Copland: The Complete Music For Solo Piano |
| Nominee | Rudolf Serkin, artist | Brahms: Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Handel |
| Nominee | Glenn Gould, artist | Bach: Toccatas, Volume II |
| Nominee | Joshua Rifkin, artist | (Joplin) Digital Ragtime - Music Of Scott Joplin |
Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | (Henry Lewis; Philharmonia Orchestra) | Prima Donna, Vol. 5 - Great Soprano Arias From Handel To Britten |
| Nominee | Elly Ameling | R. Strauss: Four Last Songs And Orchestral Songs |
| Nominee | Frederica von Stade | Mozart: Songs |
| Nominee | (London Philharmonic) | Mahler: Songs Of A Wayfarer And Ruckert Songs |
| Nominee | (New York Philharmonic) | Berg: Lulu Suite |
| Nominee | (New York Philharmonic) | Berg: Der Wein - Concert Aria |
Best Engineered Recording, Classical
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Karl-August Naegler, engineer (Pierre Boulez, conductor) | Berg: Lulu (Complete Version) |
| Nominee | John McClure & Ed Michalski, engineers (Leonard Bernstein, conductor) | Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 |
| Nominee | Michael Gray, engineer (Bernard Haitink, conductor; Itzhak Perlman, violin, Mstislav Rostropovich, cello) | Brahms: Concerto In A Minor For Violin And Cello |
| Nominee | Edward (Bud) T. Graham & Ray Moore, engineers (Zubin Mehta, conductor; Pinchas Zukerman, violin) | Bartók: Concerto For Violins And Orchestra |
| Nominee | Robert Norberg & Mitchell Tanenbaum, engineers (Gerard Schwarz, conductor) | Bach: The Six Brandenburg Concertos |
| Nominee | Phil Edwards, engineer (Elmer Ramsey, conductor; Laurindo Almeida) | Almedia: First Concerto For Guitar And Orchestra |
Classical Producer Of The Year
| Result | Artist | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Robert Woods | - |
| Nominee | Paul Myers | - |
| Nominee | John McClure | - |
| Nominee | Andrew Kazdin | - |
| Nominee | Steven Epstein | - |
