Grammys give nod to 2 local artists
Michael Anthony, Star Tribune


Published December 5, 2003

Two of Minnesota's most prominent musicians -- composer Dominick Argento and conductor Dale Warland -- earned a combined three Grammy Award nominations Thursday, a record for local classical artists.

"I think they're making up for ignoring me in past years," said the 76-year-old Argento, who has won a Pulitzer Prize but lost his previous shot at a Grammy in 1992. Even if he doesn't win, he already has a souvenir: "They send you a nice baseball cap with the invitation to the ceremony in it."

Argento's song cycle "Casa Guidi," a richly lyrical setting of letters by poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, recorded by mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade with the Minnesota Orchestra, was nominated for best classical contemporary composition and best classical vocal performance.

In addition, he and Warland were recognized for "Walden Pond," a compilation of Argento's choral music recorded by the Dale Warland Singers. The Warland album was nominated for best choral performance.

Several Minnesotans who are past Grammy winners also were nominated Thursday: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as producers of the year; Garrison Keillor for best comedy album ("A Life in Comedy"), Prince for best pop instrumental album ("N.E.W.S.") and Bob Dylan for best male rock vocal performance (for "Down in the Flood" from the soundtrack to "Masked and Anonymous").

Other nominees with local connections include Ann Nesby, formerly of Sounds of Blackness, for contemporary soul gospel album, and St. Louis Park native Al Franken for spoken-word album. Wayzata's Kevin Bowe wrote four songs on Etta James' "Let's Roll," a candidate for best contemporary blues album.

Teacher's pets

Argento, who taught for many years at the University of Minnesota and holds the title of composer laureate for the Minnesota Orchestra, gave high marks to both of his nominated albums.


He attended some of the recording sessions last year for the Warland CD.

"I was really impressed," he said. "I said to Dale, 'I can't believe there's going to be a better choral record this year.' "

Argento was out of town during the 2001 recording of "Casa Guidi," conducted by Eiji Oue, but heard the tapes later. "I thought it was the best performance this work is likely ever to have," he said.

Argento won a Pulitzer in 1975 for a similar project, "From the Diary of Virginia Woolf." A five-song cycle, "Casa Guidi" had its debut performance 20 years ago at Orchestra Hall with Von Stade, who returned here in 2001 to record it for the Reference label. (The record includes two other Argento works: Capriccio for Clarinet and Orchestra and "In Praise of Music: Seven Songs for Orchestra.")

Warland, 71, also was impressed with the "Walden Pond" sessions, released on the Gothic label. "Some magic was taking place," he said. "The piece itself is so great. It always feeds you as a performer."

The nomination comes at an appropriate time for Warland. After 31 seasons that earned him international recognition, he is disbanding his 40-voice Warland Singers at the end of this season.

Through sheer coincidence, he will conduct "Walden Pond" in the singers' last concert here, May 30 at Orchestra Hall.

Warland hopes to attend the Grammy show, to be held Feb. 8 in Los Angeles. "You don't dream about winning something like this," he said. "We're the only American choir to be nominated this year."

Argento said he doesn't know whether he will go. He skipped the ceremony in 1992 when his "Te Deum" was nominated as best contemporary composition. However, the record's producer, Steve Barnett -- who also produced "Walden Pond" -- did make the trip, Argento recalled: "I remember Steve saying to me, 'You know, the show goes on for hours and hours, and we might not even be on camera.' "

Michael Anthony is at manthony@startribune.com.

Staff writer Jon Bream contributed to this report.

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