New classical music for 2023
What is the future of classical music in 2023? We’ve gathered six artists releasing classical music new for you to discover this year.
The modern classical music world is filled with breakout stars making bold and creative decisions with new compositions and reinterpretations of pieces. The finest contemporary players perform with charm and rail against the establishment whilst letting the music speak for itself.
What does the world of classical music look like in 2023? After two years of disruption live classical music returned with renewed eagerness from performers as pandemic restrictions were lifted and ensemble recordings could resume with earnest. Projects like record label La Boîte à Pépites meanwhile made more room for women composers. Orchestral music is on the big screen in a dramatic way with the release of Tár starring Cate Blanchett.
From experimental composers through up-and-coming quartets to incredible new pianists, start off with this list of six rising classical artists as your first introduction to classical music in 2023.
Dai Wei
Dai Wei’s works encourage multicultural conversation. A one-time pop songwriter and vocalist who writes for multiple instruments, she draws inspiration from Eastern philosophy as much as global electronic and pop music genres.
Castalian String Quartet
Four extremely talented and enthusiastic string players – an English cellist, Irish violinist, Finnish first violinist and Welsh second violinist – make up the Castalian String Quartet, and they all play with flawless tone. The ensemble is really something special and this year they’ll continue on from the success of their critically acclaimed debut album Between Two Worlds.
RIOPY
French pianist RIOPY pours all available emotion into his instrument, and then lets it cascade cathartically out into the audience. He’ll be bringing his atmospheric instrumentals on his first UK tour in 2023, as well as releasing the follow up to his album Tree of Light, which reached number one on the Billboard Classical Album chart.
Allison Loggins-Hull
Renowned flautist and composer Allison Loggins-Hull has a packed 2023 season planned. As well as working as film composer, producer, and educator, she’ll be continuing to perform in boundary-pushing flute duo Flutronix with Nathalie Joachim.
Angélica Negrón
Puerto Rican Angélica Negrón shows all sides of her identity through experimental classical compositions. In 2023 she’ll continue to use electronic sounds and traditional classical instruments, writing for chamber orchestra, voice, and even for plants and vegetables, to push in ever more interesting sonic directions.
Raven McMillon
Baltimore soprano Raven McMillon has steadily been gaining prizes and advocates, including becoming Grand Finals Winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition in 2021, and in 2022 being awarded a Sullivan Foundation Career Development Grant. McMillon’s 2023 season includes appearing as Pamina in the Welsh National Opera’s The Magic Flute.
Looking for new music in different genres? Check out these lists of rising artists in 2023: