A new report from Bachtrack.com compiled from their extensive events data has named the top classical music composers, operas, and performers in 2022.
According to Bachtrack’s recent statistics report, there were a total of 27,124 classical music events held worldwide in 2022.
Here are some highlights from the report:
- Conductors are getting younger, with the average age of top 10 conductors shifting from 61 in 2010, to 46 in 2022.
- Andris Nelsons, Yannick Nézet–Séguin, and Paavo Järvi were the top three busiest conductors.
- There were 12 women among the top 100 conductors, including Elim Chan, Gemma New, and Barbara Hannigan.
- Top three pianists were Yuja Wang, Daniil Trifonov, and Yefim Bronfman.
Now, let’s talk about some of the composers mentioned in the report.
- Mozart and Beethoven, as expected, topped the list as the most performed composers. J.S. Bach and Brahms followed closely behind, proving that the old warhorses are still as popular as ever.
- However, Bachtrack also found that contemporary composers are gaining ground, with Arvo Pärt, John Williams , Anna Clyne and John Adams, all appearing in the top 10 most performed contemporary composers list.
- Mozart takes four of the top ten spots in the most-performed operas in 2022, with Le nozze di Figaro at number one.
- Philip Glass enjoyed a banner year as a top contemporary opera composer with performances of Akhnaten, Orphée, Les Enfants Terribles and Einstein on the Beach at The Met, Teatro Real, across France, Belgium and Germany.
Overall, it looks like a healthy mix of both old favourites and new voices being heard — particularly women. While there was a lot to be concerned about, it also shows that classical music is still chugging along just fine despite the pandemic.
Michael Vincent is the Editor-in-chief Ludwig Van and CEO of Museland Media. He publishes regularly and writes occasionally. A specialist in digital media for over 15 years, he has worked as a senior editor and is a former freelance classical music critic for the Toronto Star. Michael holds a Doctorate in Music from the University of Toronto.
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