You may already be aware that the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) are Europe’s rough equivalent to the classical end of our own Grammys, with distinguished jury members representing 16 different countries ranging from Turkey to Russia. Delos has been honored to receive eight ICMA nominations from 2016 to 2018, making Delos one of the handful of top independent American labels to consistently shine in this prestigious competition. 

But we have outdone ourselves in the 2019 ICMA competition, with FOUR nominations that were announced on 23 November—more than in any previous year. There will be two further rounds of jury voting: finalists will be published on December 10, and winners will be announced on 17 January 2019. Go to icma-info.com for further details. 

Here are the nominated albums, all featuring leading masters of their art:

Of particular interest among these exciting releases is the two-disc Szymanowski album, made in the 1970s by distinguished pianist Carol Rosenberger (now our Delos General Director) and containing all of the material originally released on LPs – including the complete Twenty Mazurkas. One of the jury members I’ve corresponded with—a leading authority on Szymanowski’s music—called Carol’s magical interpretations “… the finest I have ever heard.” 

So kindly keep your fingers crossed – and while you’re at it, check these exceptional albums out!