ARIA Award for Best Classical Album


The ARIA Music Award for Best Classical Album, is an award presented within the Fine Arts Awards at the annual ARIA Music Awards. The ARIA Awards recognise "the many achievements of Aussie artists across all music genres", and have been given by the Australian Recording Industry Association since 1987.
Classical albums by Australian solo artists and groups are eligible, as well as Australian featured artists or soloists involved with non-Australian ensembles or orchestras. It is judged by a specialist judging school of between 40 and 100 representatives experienced with classical music.
The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra has received the award five times. The Australian Chamber Orchestra has been a three-time winner, with the ACO's Richard Tognetti receiving a further two awards for his solo violin recordings.

Winners and nominees

In the following table, the winner is highlighted in a separate colour, and in boldface; the nominees are those that are not highlighted or in boldface. Nominees from 1988 are not available in published sources.
YearWinnerAlbum title
1987
(1st)
--
1987
(1st)
Barry ConynghamSouthern Cross Ice Carving
1987
(1st)
Australian Chamber OrchestraMozart in Delphi
1987
(1st)
Grant FosterRhapsody for Piano and Orchestra
1987
(1st)
Robert AllworthLast Look at Bronte
1987
(1st)
Sydney University Chamber ChoirThe Victoria Requiem
1988
(2nd)
Australian OperaVoss
1989
(3rd)
--
1989
(3rd)
FledermanFlederman
1989
(3rd)
George DreyfusRush - The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox and Other Goodies
1989
(3rd)
Jennifer McGregorThe Jennifer McGregor Album
1989
(3rd)
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra, Joan Carden, John HowardAustralia Day / Child of Australia
1989
(3rd)
Various ArtistsTropic of Capricorn
1990
(4th)
--
1990
(4th)
Tasmanian Symphony Chamber PlayersVivaldi: The Four Seasons
1990
(4th)
Australian Youth OrchestraWorks of Koehne, Stravinsky, Messiaen, Ravel
1990
(4th)
Geoffrey Collins & David MillerFlute Australia Volume 2
1990
(4th)
Jane RutterNocturnes & Preludes for Flutes
1990
(4th)
Various ArtistsLandscapes
1991
(5th)
--
1991
(5th)
Stuart Challender, Sydney Symphony OrchestraSculthorpe: Orchestral Works
1991
(5th)
David HelfgottDavid Helgott
1991
(5th)
Geoffrey Simon, Melbourne Symphony OrchestraPercy Grainger: Orchestral Works
1991
(5th)
Hartley Newnham & Nicholas RoutleyHermit of Green Light
1991
(5th)
The Choir of Christ Church St LaurenceVictoria: Missa Surge Propera
1992
(6th)
--
1992
(6th)
Stuart Challender, Sydney Symphony OrchestraVine: 3 Symphonies
1992
(6th)
Australian EnsembleCafe Concertino
1992
(6th)
Australian Opera.2C 1970.E2.80.9396|The Australian Opera]Mozart Arias & Scenes
1992
(6th)
Geoffrey LancasterFortepiano
1992
(6th)
Roger WoodwardProkofiev Piano Works
1993
(7th)
--
1993
(7th)
Australian Chamber Orchestra & Richard TognettiJanáček: Kreutzer Sonata for Strings, Barber: Adagio for Strings, Walton: Sonata for Strings
1993
(7th)
The Brandenburg OrchestraThe Brandenburg Orchestra
1993
(7th)
West Australian Symphony OrchestraThe Transposed Heads
1993
(7th)
Geoffrey LancasterMozart Sonatas for Fortepiano
1993
(7th)
Roger WoodwardThe Music of Frédéric Chopin
1994
(8th)
--
1994
(8th)
Dene Olding, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Challender, PorcelijnRoss Edwards Orchestral Works
1994
(8th)
Australian Chamber Orchestra & Richard TognettiMendelssohn: Octet in E Flat for Strings Op. 20 Sinfonia No. 9 in C. Swiss
1994
(8th)
Australian Chamber Orchestra & Richard TognettiSymphony Serenades and Suites
1994
(8th)
Nigel ButterleyJohn Cage
1994
(8th)
Dene Olding, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, IwakiViolin Concertos
1995
(9th)
--
1995
(9th)
Yvonne Kenny, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir KamirskiSimple Gifts
1995
(9th)
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, David Porcelijn, János FürstPowerhouse Three Poems of Byron – Capriccio Nocturnes Unchained Melody
1995
(9th)
Duncan GiffordDebussy Preludes Books I & II
1995
(9th)
Slava GrigoryanSpirit of Spain
1995
(9th)
Graham Pushee, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Paul DyerHandel: Opera Arias
1996
(10th)
--
1996
(10th)
Australian Chamber OrchestraPeter Sculthorpe: Music for Strings
1996
(10th)
Australian Chamber OrchestraSpirit
1996
(10th)
Australian EnsembleShostakovich
1996
(10th)
Macquarie TrioBeethoven Piano Trios
1996
(10th)
Marshall McGuireAwakening
1997
(11th)
--
1997
(11th)
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, David PorcelijnPeter Sculthorpe: Sun Music
1997
(11th)
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, David PorcelijnPeter Sculthorpe: The Fifth Continent
1997
(11th)
Tamara Anna CislowskaThe Enchanted Isle
1997
(11th)
Renaissance PlayersMirror of Light
1997
(11th)
Australian Chamber OrchestraIl Tramonto - The Sunset
1998
(12th)
--
1998
(12th)
Yvonne Kenny, Paul Dyer, Australian Brandenburg OrchestraHandel: Arias
1998
(12th)
Tamara Anna CislowskaThe Persian Hours
1998
(12th)
Slava GrigoryanDance of the Angels
1998
(12th)
Karin SchauppLeyenda
1998
(12th)
Sydney Alpha EnsembleElena Kats-Chernin: Clocks
1999
(13th)
--
1999
(13th)
Gerard WillemsPiano: Beethoven Sonatas Volume 1
1999
(13th)
Sara Macliver, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Paul DyerIf Love's a Sweet Passion
1999
(13th)
Tamara Anna CislowskaPiano: The Russian Album
1999
(13th)
Paul Dean, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Richard MillsAriel's Music
1999
(13th)
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Vernon HandleyThe Eternal Rhythm
2000
(14th)
--
2000
(14th)
Gerard WillemsBeethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas
2000
(14th)
Rosamund Illing, Richard Bonynge, Australian Opera and Ballet OrchestraAmoureuse: Sacred and Profane Arias
2000
(14th)
Michael Kieran HarveyMessiaen: Twenty Contemplations of the Infant Jesus
2000
(14th)
Simon TedeschiSimon Tedeschi
2000
(14th)
Richard Tognetti, Australian Chamber OrchestraBeethoven Violin Concerto & Mozart Symphony No. 40
2001
(15th)
--
2001
(15th)
Genevieve Lacey, Brandenburg Orchestra, Paul DyerVivaldi - Ii Flauto Dolce
2001
(15th)
Macquarie TrioSchubert: Complete Piano Trios
2001
(15th)
Shu Cheen YuLotus Moon
2001
(15th)
Stephanie McCallumPerfume
2001
(15th)
Woof!Tuneful Percussion
2002
(16th)
--
2002
(16th)
Slava GrigoryanSonatas & Fantasies
2002
(16th)
David HobsonHandel: Arias
2002
(16th)
Genevieve Lacey, Linda KentPiracy
2002
(16th)
Geoffrey LancasterHaydn: Keyboard Sonatas Volume 1
2002
(16th)
Yvonne Kenny, Adelaide Symphony OrchestraGorecki: Symphony No. 3
2003
(17th)
--
2003
(17th)
SaffireSaffire - The Australian Guitar Quartet
2003
(17th)
Marshall McGuireThe 20th Century Harp
2003
(17th)
Slava Grigoryan, Leonard GrigoryanPlay
2003
(17th)
Teddy Tahu RhodesMozart Arias
2003
(17th)
Yvonne KennyMake Believe
2004
(18th)
--
2004
(18th)
Teddy Tahu RhodesThe Voice
2004
(18th)
Diana DohertySouvenirs
2004
(18th)
Sara Macliver, Sally-Anne RussellBach Arias and Duets
2004
(18th)
William Barton, The Queensland OrchestraSculthorpe: Songs of Sea and Sky
2004
(18th)
Gerard Willems, Sinfonia AustralisBeethoven Complete Piano Concertos
2005
(19th)
--
2005
(19th)
Australian Brandenburg OrchestraSanctuary
2005
(19th)
Elena Kats-CherninWild Swans
2005
(19th)
Michael Kieran HarveyRabid Bay
2005
(19th)
Sara Macliver & Sally-Anne RussellBaroque Duets
2005
(19th)
Slava GrigoryanAfterimage
2006
(20th)
--
2006
(20th)
Richard TognettiBach Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin
2006
(20th)
Amelia FarrugiaJoie De Vivre
2006
(20th)
Niki Vasilakis, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Sebastian Lang-LessingMendelssohn, Bruch, Ravel
2006
(20th)
Simon Tedeschi, The Queensland Orchestra, Richard BonyngePiano Concertos: Tchaikovsky, Grieg
2006
(20th)
Slava Grigoryan, Leonard Grigoryan, The Queensland Orchestra, Brett KellyRodrigo Guitar Concertos
2007
(21st)
--
2007
(21st)
Richard Tognetti, Australian Chamber OrchestraBach Violin Concertos
2007
(21st)
Accademia ArcadiaTrio Sonatas
2007
(21st)
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Arvo VolmerSculthorpe Requiem and Orchestral Works
2007
(21st)
Michael Kieran HarveyCarl Vine Piano Music 1990-2006
2007
(21st)
Slava Grigoryan, Leonard GrigoryanImpressions
2007
(21st)
State Opera of South Australia, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Asher FischWagner: Das Rheingold
2008
(22nd)
--
2008
(22nd)
Richard Tognetti, Neal Peres Da Costa, Daniel YeadonBach Sonatas for Violin & Keyboard
2008
(22nd)
Brett Dean, Sydney SymphonyBrett Dean
2008
(22nd)
Elena Kats-CherninSlow Food
2008
(22nd)
Roger WoodwardJohann Sebastian Bach: Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue, Partita no. 2 & Partita no. 6
2008
(22nd)
Slava Grigoryan, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin NortheyBaroque Guitar Concertos
2009
(23rd)
--
2009
(23rd)
Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Paul DyerHandel: Concerti Grossi Opus 6
2009
(23rd)
Australian Chamber OrchestraClassical Destinations II
2009
(23rd)
Emma MatthewsEmma Matthews in Monte Carlo
2009
(23rd)
Slava & Leonard GrigoryanDistance
2009
(23rd)
Teddy Tahu Rhodes, David HobsonYou'll Never Walk Alone
2009
(23rd)
Goldner String QuartetBeethoven: The Complete String Quartets
2010
(24th)
--
2010
(24th)
Australian Brandenburg Orchestra & Paul DyerTapas - Tastes of the Baroque
2010
(24th)
Aleksandr TsiboulskiAustralian Guitar Music
2010
(24th)
Li-Wei QinBeethoven Cello Sonatas
2010
(24th)
David HobsonEnchanted Way
2010
(24th)
Geoffrey LancasterHaydn: Complete Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 1
2010
(24th)
Richard Tognetti, Christopher Moore & Australian Chamber OrchestraMozart Violin Concertos
2010
(24th)
Teddy Tahu RhodesBach Arias
2011
(25th)
--
2011
(25th)
Sally WhitwellMad Rush: Piano Music of Philip Glass
2011
(25th)
Karin Schaupp & Flinders QuartetFandango
2011
(25th)
Latitude 37Latitude 37
2011
(25th)
Richard Tognetti, Australian Chamber OrchestraMozart Violin Concertos Vol 2
2011
(25th)
Teddy Tahu RhodesSerious Songs
2012
(26th)
--
2012
(26th)
William BartonKalkadungu
2012
(26th)
Jose Carbo with Slava and Leonard GrigoryanMy Latin Heart
2012
(26th)
Orchestra of the AntipodesBach: Brandenburg Concertos
2012
(26th)
Sally WhitwellThe Good, the Bad and the Awkward
2012
(26th)
Sydney Symphony, Vladimir AshkenazyElgar: The Dream of Gerontius
2013
(27th)
--
2013
(27th)
Sally WhitwellAll Imperfect Things: Solo Piano Music of Michael Nyman
2013
(27th)
Amy Dickson, Melbourne Symphony OrchestraCatch Me If You Can
2013
(27th)
David HansenRivals: Arias for Farinelli & Co.
2013
(27th)
Jane Sheldon, Genevieve Lang & Acacia QuartetNorth + South: Ten Folk Songs
2013
(27th)
Nigel Westlake, Melbourne Symphony OrchestraMissa Solis: Requiem for Eli
2014
(28th)
--
2014
(28th)
Nigel Westlake, Lior and Sydney Symphony OrchestraCompassion (Nigel Westlake, Lior and [Sydney Symphony Orchestra album)|Compassion]
2014
(28th)
Australian World Orchestra, Zubin MehtaStravinsky Rite of Spring / Mahler Symphony No. 1
2014
(28th)
Emma Matthews, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Marko LetonjaMozart Arias
2014
(28th)
Joe Chindamo & Zoë BlackDido's Lament
2014
(28th)
Latitude 37Empires
2014
(28th)
Andrew Macleod, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Northey, Markus StenzAdes Polaris / Stanhope Piccolo Concerto
2014
(28th)
TopologyShare House
2015
(29th)
--
2015
(29th)
Tamara-Anna CislowskaPeter Sculthorpe: Complete Works for Solo Piano
2015
(29th)
Amy DicksonIsland Songs
2015
(29th)
Australian Brandenburg OrchestraBrandenburg Celebrates
2015
(29th)
Grigoryan BrothersThis Time
2015
(29th)
Sally WhitwellI Was Flying
2016
(30th)
--
2016
(30th)
Flight FacilitiesLive with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
2016
(30th)
Joe Chindamo & Zoë BlackThe New Goldberg Variations
2016
(30th)
Katie Noonan & Brodsky QuartetWith Love and Fury
2016
(30th)
Nicole Car, Australian Opera, Australian Ballet Orchestra and Andrea MolinoThis Kiss
2016
(30th)
Richard Tognetti & Australian Chamber OrchestraMozart's Last Symphonies
2017
(31st)
--
2017
(31st)
Slava GrigoryanBach: Cello Suites Volume I
2017
(31st)
Grigoryan BrothersSongs Without Words
2017
(31st)
Jayson Gillham, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra & Benjamin NortheyMedtner: Piano Concerto No 1 / Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No 2
2017
(31st)
Kate Miller-Heidke & Sydney Symphony OrchestraLive at the [Sydney Opera House (Kate Miller-Heidke album)|Live at the Sydney Opera House]
2017
(31st)
Tamara-Anna CislowskaElena Kats-Chernin: Unsent Love Letters - Meditations on Erik Satie
2018
(32nd)
--
2018
(32nd)
Slava GrigoryanBach: Cello Suites Volume II
2018
(32nd)
Greta Bradman, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Chamber Singers & Luke DollmanHome
2018
(32nd)
Ray ChenThe Golden Age
2018
(32nd)
Sally WhitwellPhilip Glass: Complete Etudes for Solo Piano
2018
(32nd)
Tamara Anna Cislowska, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra & Johannes FritzschInto Silence: PartVasksGoreckiPelecis
2019
(33rd)
--
2019
(33rd)
Paul Kelly, James LedgerThirteen Ways to Look at Birds
2019
(33rd)
Diana Doherty, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Nigel Westlake, David Robertson, Synergy VocalsNigel Westlake: Spirit of the Wild / Steve Reich: The Desert Music
2019
(33rd)
Genevieve LaceySoliloquy: Telemann Solo Fantasias
2019
(33rd)
Grigoryan Brothers, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin NortheyBach Concertos
2019
(33rd)
Nicole Car, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard TognettiHeroines
2020
(34th)
--
2020
(34th)
Richard Tognetti & Erin HelyardBeethoven & Mozart Violin Sonatas
2020
(34th)
Alicia Crossley & Acacia QuartetMuse
2020
(34th)
David Greco & Erin HelyardSchubert: Die schöne Müllerin
2020
(34th)
Jayson Gillham, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas CarterBeethoven Piano Concertos
2020
(34th)
Slava & Sharon GrigoryanOur Place: Duets For Cello And Guitar
2021
(35th)
--
2021
(35th)
Genevieve Lacey & Marshall McGuireBower
2021
(35th)
Christian LiVivaldi: The Four Seasons
2021
(35th)
Emily Sun & Andrea LamNocturnes
2021
(35th)
Grigoryan BrothersThis Is Us
2021
(35th)
Nat BartschHope
2022
(36th)
--
2022
(36th)
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra & Sir Andrew DavisThe Enchanted Loom: Orchestral Works by Carl Vine
2022
(36th)
Amy Dickson, Colin Currie, Lothar Koenigs, Yvonne Kenny, David Zinman, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Markus Stenz & Melbourne Symphony OrchestraRoss Edwards: Frog and Star Cycle / Symphonies 2 & 3
2022
(36th)
Lachlan SkipworthChamber Works, Vol. 2
2022
(36th)
Luke HowardAll of Us
2022
(36th)
Tamara Anna Cislowska and GuestsDuet
2023
(37th)
--
2023
(37th)
Australian Chamber Orchestra and Richard TognettiIndies & Idols
2023
(37th)
Ensemble OffspringTo Listen, To Sing - Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers
2023
(37th)
Neil Gaiman and FourPlay String QuartetSigns Of Life
2023
(37th)
Roger Benedict and Simon TedeschiDubussy - Ravel
2023
(37th)
Genevieve Lacey and Various ArtistsGenevieve Lacey: Breathing Space
2024
(38th)
--
2024
(38th)
Sophie HutchingsA World Outside
2024
(38th)
Australian Chamber Orchestra and Richard TognettiBeethoven Symphonies 1, 2 & 3 'Eroica
2024
(38th)
Grigoryan BrothersAmistad - Music for Two Guitars
2024
(38th)
Orava QuartetORAWA
2024
(38th)
Veronique SerretMigrating Bird
2025
(39th)
--
2025
(39th)
Andrea LamPiano Diary
2025
(39th)
Australian Chamber Orchestra and Richard TognettiTchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings and Adante Cantabile / Shostakovich: Chamber Symphony in C Minor
2025
(39th)
Nat BartschForever Changed
2025
(39th)
Simone Young and Sydney Symphony OrchestraMahler: Symphony No. 2 / Barton: Of the Earth
2025'
(39th)
Sophie HutchingsBecome the Sky