Did you know one of the Grammy Awards categories is for the best classical instrumental solo album? It was first awarded in 2012 following the Recording Academy’s wish to decrease the list of categories and awards, combining the previous categories for Best Instrumental Soloist (with an orchestra) and Best Instrumental Performance (without an orchestra).

This year the Best Classical Instrumental Solo was awarded to American virtuoso classical guitarist Jason Vieaux’s album Play. I think in this occasion the entire guitar community have to celebrate. It is in fact not so usual to see the guitar starring among other instruments historically considered the official voice of classical music, as piano, cello and harpsichord (that were among the nominees). For a long time the guitar had to struggle to be considered an instrument worth the stage, and we all know how much Andrés Segovia struggled to have the guitar recognized at the same level of other classical instruments, and to develop a repertoire for high-quality 20th century music written for the guitar by world renowned non-guitarists composers.

Jason Vieux began his musical career at the age of eight, and in 1992 became the youngest winner of the Guitar Foundation of America International Competition, one of the most important classical guitar competitions in the world.
If you’d like to listen a preview of Vieux recently awarded album Play visit his website http://jasonvieaux.com/.