New York Latin Culture Magazine®

World-class Indigenous, European & African Culture since 2012

Classical Music

Classical music is European art music that originated in the religious chanting of monks in the Medieval period. Music notation and social dancing developed during the Italian Renaissance, so in a way, all classical music is Latin.

Traditional forms evolved through Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods. The Modern period was a transition from traditional to contemporary forms. Today classical music is having a renaissance as young people discover Contemporary classical music.

There are many great Latin interpreters of European traditions, and some great composers and performers of classical music of the Americas.

Young Latin artists are taking classical music where it never went before. Legendary Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel takes over the New York Philharmonic in 2026. He builds communities and is already triggering a classical music renaissance in New York City.

Explore New York City's classical music scene

Andrea Bocelli Holiday Tour 2023, featuring Zucchero, brings Italian Holiday Pop Opera and Rock to Madison Square Garden

Andrea Bocelli is a multiple Grammy-nominated Italian tenor who has crossed over into pop music. He is one of the best-selling classical music artists of all time. Many artists who work with Bocelli, speak of a special something, which can only be described as a strong spirituality. Andrea Bocelli in New York City Italian Holiday Pop Opera & Rock Andrea … [Read more...] about Andrea Bocelli Holiday Tour 2023, featuring Zucchero, brings Italian Holiday Pop Opera and Rock to Madison Square Garden

Teatro Real Gala Concert: From Spain to New York Plays Falla, Dvořák, Ginastera, and Ravel at Lincoln Center

Teatro Real, The Royal Opera of Madrid, is Spain's national opera and one of the country's most respected cultural institutions. It was founded in 1818. The Teatro Real Foundation is led by the King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. Teatro Real Gala Concert: From Spain to New York at Lincoln Center Teatro Real, The Royal Opera of Madrid, returns to New … [Read more...] about Teatro Real Gala Concert: From Spain to New York Plays Falla, Dvořák, Ginastera, and Ravel at Lincoln Center

The Sphinx Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Showcases the Diversity of Classical Music at Carnegie Hall

Sphinx Virtuosi "Generations" showcases the beautiful diversity of Black and Latin classical music across the generations at Carnegie Hall. In the best manner of the West African tradition of "Sankofa," we look back at our roots, so going forward we can create the best possible future together. Sphinx Virtuosi "Generations" The Black and Latin star musicians of … [Read more...] about The Sphinx Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Showcases the Diversity of Classical Music at Carnegie Hall

Handel’s “Messiah” by the New York Philharmonic is a New York City Holiday Tradition, “Hallejujah”

Handel's "Messiah" is one of the most popular choral works in European art music. An Easter tradition in most of the Latin world, it is a Christmas tradition in New York. This is not Latin music. Handel was a German British composer, but classical music has Italian roots and during the medieval period was mostly church music in the Roman Catholic church. Christmas is the … [Read more...] about Handel’s “Messiah” by the New York Philharmonic is a New York City Holiday Tradition, “Hallejujah”

Start Your Summer at the New York Philharmonic Concerts In the Parks

New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks 2023 plays exuberant Copland, Beethoven, Rossini, Strauss, and Rodriguez in Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx; Central Park, Manhattan; Cunningham Park, Queens; Prospect Park Brooklyn, and an indoor program of string quartets at the St George Theatre in Staten Island; Tuesday-Sunday, June 13-28, 2023. FREE! Concerts In the Parks … [Read more...] about Start Your Summer at the New York Philharmonic Concerts In the Parks

ACO SONiC Festival with Miguel Zenón and Angélica Negrón Creates Avant-Garde Puerto Rican Classical Music at Hostos

The ACO SONiC Festival with Miguel Zenón & Angélica Negrón creates new Latin classical music with the American Composers Orchestra featuring Ahmed Alom, Raquel Acevedo Klein, Victor Pablo, Darian Thomas; in the Repertory Theater at Hostos Center; on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 4pm. From $25. Student ID ($5). hostos.cuny.org 🇵🇷 🇨🇴 🇮🇱 🇺🇸 This show is a primer on some of the … [Read more...] about ACO SONiC Festival with Miguel Zenón and Angélica Negrón Creates Avant-Garde Puerto Rican Classical Music at Hostos

Miguel Zenón Curates the American Composers Orchestra SONiC Festival

Miguel Zenón News Miguel Zenón & Angélica Negrón curate the American Composers Orchestra SONiC Festival with new Latin classical music featuring Ahmed Alom, Raquel Acevedo Klein, Victor Pablo, Darian Thomas; in the Repertory Theater at Hostos Center; on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 4pm. From $25. Student ID ($5). hostos.cuny.org 🇵🇷 🇨🇴 🇮🇱 🇺🇸 Miguel Zenón is a Multiple … [Read more...] about Miguel Zenón Curates the American Composers Orchestra SONiC Festival

Remember Louis Moreau Gottschalk, the First Composer to Notate the Rhythms of Congo Square

Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869) was the first internationally recognized American pianist. He was also the first classical composer to notate the rhythms of Congo Square and other Latin rhythms on his travels through Latin America. He died in Brazil. Louis Moreau Gottshalk was a Son of New Orleans Gottschalk was born in New Orleans on May 8, 1829 to an Jewish … [Read more...] about Remember Louis Moreau Gottschalk, the First Composer to Notate the Rhythms of Congo Square

Villalobos Brothers Play Their Unique Blend of Mexican Folk, Jazz, Classical at Pregones/PRTT

The Villalobos Brothers make high-energy classical pop with a world of musical influences from a base of Mexican tradition with social consciousness in the mix. The Villalobos Brothers play their unique blend of Regional Mexican folk, jazz and classical; at Pregones/PRTT in Concourse, The Bronx; on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 7pm. From $18+fees, $10 to stream. 🇲🇽 The … [Read more...] about Villalobos Brothers Play Their Unique Blend of Mexican Folk, Jazz, Classical at Pregones/PRTT

Paquito D’Rivera Joins the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for Elio Villafranca’s “Tres Aguas” & Edmar Castaneda’s “Music & Colombia”

Paquito D'Rivera is a 14 Grammy winning jazz and classical music legend. The Cuban-born clarinet, saxophone, flute player, composer, and band leader plays one of the happiest horns you may ever hear. Paquito was a founding member of Irakere (1973), the Cuban jazz band that mixed bebop with rock and Cuban folk. Irakere was an important step in the transition from Cuban son … [Read more...] about Paquito D’Rivera Joins the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for Elio Villafranca’s “Tres Aguas” & Edmar Castaneda’s “Music & Colombia”

globalFEST 2023 Brings Global Music to David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center

globalFEST 2023 is a global music conference and showcase during the APAP convention of presenters, artists, and booking agents in January. Global music used to be called world music. It's basically the music of Mother Africa and Asia. globalFEST 2023 globalFESt 2023 brings global classical, cumbia, flamenco, folk, gospel, rock, rhythm & blues, and salsa; to … [Read more...] about globalFEST 2023 Brings Global Music to David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center

The Los Angeles Philharmonic with Gustavo Dudamel Plays Two Great Programs at Carnegie Hall

The Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) is one of the world's great symphony orchestras. It is considered one of America's most forward-looking orchestras. In 2017, New York Times classical music critic Zachary Woolfe, called the LA Phil, "the most important orchestra in America. Period." Los Angeles Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall The LA Phil returns to Carnegie Hall … [Read more...] about The Los Angeles Philharmonic with Gustavo Dudamel Plays Two Great Programs at Carnegie Hall

New York Philharmonic “Oyá” Reopens David Geffen Hall with Brazilian Composer Marcos Balter’s Work on the Yoruba Orisha of Rebirth

The New York Philharmonic opens the new David Geffen Hall with New York Brazilian composer Marcos Balter's sound and light composition "Oyá," about the Yoruba Orisha of Rebirth. This is mind-blowing and wonderful. We had to look twice to be sure that the New York Philharmonic was really playing a concert about our beloved Yoruba Orisha Oyá. New York Philharmonic … [Read more...] about New York Philharmonic “Oyá” Reopens David Geffen Hall with Brazilian Composer Marcos Balter’s Work on the Yoruba Orisha of Rebirth

Remember Leonard Bernstein, Composer of “West Side Story”

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was an American composer and conductor, one of the giants of 20th century music. He was a classical artist, but in true New York style, mixed classical music with jazz and Broadway. Bernstein was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on August 25, 1918. Incidentally, that was during the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918-1920. He was one of the artists … [Read more...] about Remember Leonard Bernstein, Composer of “West Side Story”

Etienne Charles “San Juan Hill: A New York Story” World Premiere is about the Indigenous, Black & Latin Neighborhood on which Lincoln Center was Built

Etienne Charles "San Juan Hill: A New York Story" is an immersive multimedia work with Jazz music, visuals, and first-person accounts about San Juan Hill, the Indigenous, Black and Latin neighborhood that was redeveloped into Lincoln Center. The New York Philharmonic is showing that it is more than a Classical orchestra. It can be inclusive and innovative. It can do things … [Read more...] about Etienne Charles “San Juan Hill: A New York Story” World Premiere is about the Indigenous, Black & Latin Neighborhood on which Lincoln Center was Built

The São Paulo Symphony Orchestra Carnegie Hall Debut Features Rimsky-Korsakov & Villa-Lobos

The São Paulo Symphony Orchestra is one of South America's leading symphony orchestras. The Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo is the state orchestra of Brazil's commercial capital. Its home stage is the Sala São Paulo. São Paulo Symphony Orchestra Carnegie Hall Debut The São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, led by Marin Alsop, makes its Carnegie Hall debut with a … [Read more...] about The São Paulo Symphony Orchestra Carnegie Hall Debut Features Rimsky-Korsakov & Villa-Lobos

Nilko Andreas & Blanca Gonzalez Play Latin Folk at Teatro SEA

Nilko Andreas is a New York-based Classical guitarist from Colombia who plays the Carnegie Halls of the world, but can make you sweat with his Latin pop. We're not sure which we prefer. Andreas is a commanding presence with an orchestra on a concert stage. But when he plays Pop, you think, "Why isn't this guy a superstar?" He really grabs you. If you are planning a … [Read more...] about Nilko Andreas & Blanca Gonzalez Play Latin Folk at Teatro SEA

Berta Rojas, One of the World’s Best Classical Guitarists, Tributes Pioneering Female Artists at the 92nd Street Y

Berta Rojas, one of the greatest living classical guitarists, tributes pioneering female guitarists at the 92nd Street Y in the Upper East Side on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 8pm. From $20. 92y.org 🇵🇾 Tickets are available for both the in-person performance and a livestream, so you can enjoy this concert from home. The program highlights the compositions of French … [Read more...] about Berta Rojas, One of the World’s Best Classical Guitarists, Tributes Pioneering Female Artists at the 92nd Street Y

Rosa Antonelli, Argentine Concert Pianist, Celebrates Piazzolla’s Birthday Part 2

Rosa Antonelli is a world-renowned New York concert pianist, originally from Argentina. She is one of the most famous Argentine pianists. Watch Party for Piazzolla's Birthday Celebrate Astor Piazzolla's birthday and remember the lives lost to the COVID-19 Pandemic with a streaming presentation of Antonelli's Lincoln Center concert on YouTube on Friday, March 12, 2021 … [Read more...] about Rosa Antonelli, Argentine Concert Pianist, Celebrates Piazzolla’s Birthday Part 2

Cuban American Composer and Conductor Tania León Gives a Master Class

Tania León is a Cuban-born composer and conductor with an international career. In New York, she founded Dance Theatre of Harlem's music department and scored Geoffrey Holder's Trinidadian classical ballet "Dougla" among others. León is on the board of directors at the New York Philharmonic. Live on National Sawdust Tania León gives a Master class with vocalist Helga … [Read more...] about Cuban American Composer and Conductor Tania León Gives a Master Class

Jordi Savall

Jordi Savall is a Catalan, Spanish early music conductor, viol player and composer. He is one of the world's leading figures in medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music. Savall popularized the viol da gamba, a Spanish Renaissance viol that is played between the legs like a cello. Jordi Savall & Les Concert des Nations play French Baroque music at Carnegie Hall Savall and … [Read more...] about Jordi Savall

Ludovico Einaudi, One of Europe’s Best-Selling Solo Pianists

Ludovico Einaudi is an Italian classical pianist and composer who is one of Europe's best-selling solo pianists. He does a lot of film scoring and really blurs the lines between genres. Ludovico Einaudi Expands the Possibilities of Classical Music https://youtu.be/k9NM-yK1C2I Ludovico Einaudi was born in Turin, Italy in 1955 and trained in composition at the Conservatory of … [Read more...] about Ludovico Einaudi, One of Europe’s Best-Selling Solo Pianists

Horacio Lavandera

Horacio Lavandera https://youtu.be/flprmdHMgsM Horacio Lavandera is a young Argentine virtuoso pianist. He is a Steinway Artist. Lavandera plays the classical repertoire, 20th century music, and works by Argentine composers. He also composes, inspired by an interest in science. Lavandera was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1984. He rose to prominence by winning the … [Read more...] about Horacio Lavandera

Conductor Saul Zaks embraces the ends of the world (Interview)

Saul Zaks is a Latin Grammy-nominated conductor from Argentina, who lives and works in Denmark. In 2016 Zaks' Sax to Tango (ZOHO Music) earned a Latin Grammy nomination for "Best Tango Album." The album features famous Tangos by Astor Piazzolla, Pablo Ziegler, and others. Zaks conducted the University of Southern Denmark Symphony Orchestra, with saxophone soloist Julio Botti. … [Read more...] about Conductor Saul Zaks embraces the ends of the world (Interview)

Assad Brothers from Brazil are the best guitar duo alive

The Brazilian-born Assad Brothers, Sérgio and Odair, have been called “the best two-guitar team in existence" by The Washington Post. They have been important performers and composers of classical guitar for over 50 years. Growing up together created a special relationship between the brothers which translates onto the stage. Sérgio and Odair play as one. It is … [Read more...] about Assad Brothers from Brazil are the best guitar duo alive

Jorge Mejia

Jorge Mejia is President of Sony Latin for the U.S. and Latin America. He is also a classical pianist and composer whose first album is a set of Preludes. "Preludes" is an album of 25 stories told in music. Some pieces play like high energy haikus, intense and forceful; others suggest elegant reflections on a moment past, a gesture remembered, a portrait sketched in three … [Read more...] about Jorge Mejia