Best New Classical Music to Listen to in 2020

2020 is already off to a great start in the realm of new classical music. Here are some of the best pieces that have been released so far this year.

Best New Orchestral Music

Classical music fans rejoice! 2020 has already seen some great new releases in the genre, and there’s plenty more to come in the next few months. Here are some of the best new classical music releases to keep an eye out for.

One of the most highly anticipated releases of 2020 is “The Planets” by Gustav Holst, conducted by Simon Rattle and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. This newly recorded version of Holst’s iconic work is sure to be a hit with classical music lovers.

Also on the horizon is a new album from world-renowned violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. “Life” is a collection of works by contemporary composer John Adams, and it’s sure to be a must-hear for fans of Mutter’s virtuosic playing.

Other classical albums to look forward to in 2020 include a new recording of Ravel’s “Daphnis et Chloé” Suite No. 2 by conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and a live album from cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Kathryn Stott.

Best New Chamber Music

There’s plenty of fantastic new chamber music being released in 2020. Whether you’re a fan of the classics or looking for something a little more modern, there’s sure to be something for you. Here are some of the best new chamber music releases to check out this year:

-Beethoven: The Late String Quartets – The Takacs Quartet
-Mozart: Complete Violin Sonatas – Anne-Sophie Mutter & Lambert Orkis
-Bach: The Goldberg Variations – Glenn Gould
-Haydn: String Quartets, Vol. 1 – The Lindsays
-Brahms: Piano Quartets, Nos. 1 & 2 – Krystian Zimerman, Pamela Frank, Yo-Yo Ma & Emmannuel Ax

Best New Solo Piano Music

Looking for the best new classical music to listen to in 2020? Here are our top 10 picks for the best new solo piano music of the year, featuring works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and more.

Best New Avant-Garde Music

There’s plenty of new classical music to get excited about in 2020. Here are some of the best new releases from avant-garde composers and performers.

-“Distant Suns” by Tyshawn Sorey
-“Tangle” by Anna Thorvaldsdottir
-“Spiral” by Chaya Czernowin
-“Omnivore” by Georg Friedrich Haas