|
2008 Grammy Awards, the Vancouver Connection
On February 10, 2008 the Grammy Awards were held in Los Angeles to recognize outstanding achievements in the recording industry. Violinist James Ehnes with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) won in the best soloist with orchestra category.
 The 50th Grammy Awards ceremony was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 10, 2008. The Gramophone Awards, which was the name originally used in the past, are given by the US National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in recognition of outstanding achievements in the record industry.
 The Grammy Awards has received some criticism in the past as some have said it is not a recognition of the talents of the artists but rather a self-promoting marketing night of the record industry. Some comedy shows such as the Simpsons have openly mocked the Grammy Awards, depicting the trophies received as worthless and undesirable.
Nonetheless, the broadcast of the Grammy Awards in 2008 was met with much fanfare and was televised to a large global audience. One noteable recipient was the win by violinist James Ehnes with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) under conductor Bramwell Tovey who won in the best soloist with orchestra category for their recording under the CBC Records label. The was the first ever win for the VSO and Ehnes. With Vancouver's recent prominence as the hot-spot for celebrities and the Olympics in 2010 some say that the hype and self-promoting nature of the Grammy Awards played a role in the selection of the Vancouver connection.
Whatever the case may be, this is truly an amazing win for Vancouver, Canada and the VSO.
| edit |
| 
