Though the term “classical music” includes all Western art music from the Medieval era to the 2000s, the Classical Era was the period of Western art music from the 1750s to the early 1820s—the era of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven, etc. The dateline for the overall historical periods are: Medieval (c. 1150 – c. 1400); Renaissance (c. 1400 – c. 1600); Baroque (c. 1600 – c. 1750); Classical (c. 1750 – c. 1830); Early Romantic (c. 1830 – c. 1860); Late Romantic (c. 1860 – c. 1920); and Post ‘Great War’ Years (c. 1920 – Present). Included within the list of classical artists below are what I believe are the best at playing their individual instruments. With that, I formed a fictional group and called them a part of a Virtuoso Symphony.
Four playlists for your ease of enjoyment:
Virtuoso Orchestra (32 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1gXvFLmWJIJhvEJ0h0J7LAS
Greatest classical composers (19 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1hR_3ejNDQf2rPUInjCYeWi
Orchestra artists (25 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1jZCFix-12paKQHpLVyUSFP
Greatest symphonies in the world (10 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1g0CCeHYcjGmRIwZsWHOe99
74 Classical Music blog links:
1685-1750
Photo credit: BBC
Bach, Johann. “Mass in B Minor” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/3FLbiDrn8IE) (RQ 10).
Photo credit: Seen and Heard International
Bavarian Radio Symphony. “Beethoven’s No9” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/6MMmPGafGcY) (RQ 9).
1867-1944
Photo credit: NHPR
Beach, Amy. “Symphony in E Minor” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/VmLU1CfHcJw) (RQ 7).
1987-
Photo credit: uDiscoverMusic
Benedetti, Nicola. (1st Violin) Virtuoso Symphony “Marsalis V Concerto” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/Xb3s5ivxTEE) (RQ 9).
1770-1827
Photo credit: National Today
Beethoven, Ludwig. “Van Erotica Symphony” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/nbGV-MVfgec) (RQ 10).
Photo credit: Spotify
Berliner Philharmonic. “Symphony No9” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/IDOAT1ZbTRI) (RQ 9).
1972-
Photo credit: lastfm
Bezaly, Sharon. (Flute) Virtuoso Symphony “Hungarian F. Doppler” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/ZQpjASd6PZQ) (RQ 8).
1968-
Photo credit: BYU School of Music
Bigelow, Claudine. (Viola) Virtuoso Symphony “Scene And Louise” Post 44.
1098-1179
Photo credit: The Masters Music School
Bingen, Hildegard. “Canticles of Ecstacy” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/Ei88J4lERbk) (RQ 9).
1948-1980
Photo credit: YUMPU
Bonham, John. (Drummer-Led Zepplin) Virtuoso Symphony “Moby Dick” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/UOSf9f5_qZ8) (RQ 7).
1962-
Photo credit: Seattle Times
Botti, Chris. (Trumpet) Virtuoso Symphony “When I Fell in Love” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/ClMTuUwl0tg) (RQ 10).
1833-1897
Photo credit: HAFABRA
Brahms, Johannes. “Symphony No3” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/UH324lgbxaI) (RQ10).
1962-
Photo credit: ArtistWorks
Brown, Alison (Guest Banjo) Virtuoso Symphony “Going to Glasgow” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/OXbZq9YuqLc) (RQ 8).
Photo credit: Musical Chairs
Budapest Festival Orchestra. “Dances of Galanta” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/Dt3n1hJXTTs) (RQ 10).
1587-1640
Photo credit: Longborough Festival Opera
Caccini, Francesca. “Primo Libro Pelo Musiche” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/bIYvV4CIAow) (RQ 9).
1853-1917
Photo credit: Squilt Music Appreciation
Carreno, Teresa. “Ballade No1” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/_SCoheEblp0) (RQ 8).
1857-1944
Photo credit: classicfm
Chaminade, Cecile. “Arabesque No1” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/gaV2unQNWA0) (RQ 8).
Photo credit: Georgia Public Broadcasting
Chicago Symphony. “Beethoven’s No9” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/rOjHhS5MtvA) (RQ 9).
1810-1849
Photo credit: Classics for Kids
Chopin, Fredric. “The Nocturnes” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/-gDinVAmtA0) (RQ 9).
Photo credit: Facebook
Cleveland Orchestra. “Adagio” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/8PQT5IK8mwA) (RQ 8).
1952-
Photo credit: Monterey Herald
Douvas, Elaine. (Oboe) Virtuoso Symphony “Strauss Concerto Pt1” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/kNQvgUO3vNc) (RQ 6).
Photo credit: Beginning of the Revolution
Dunedin Consort. “Bach’s Magnificat” Post 55 (https://youtu.be/QA7pe_j0P7c) (RQ 9).
Photo credit: LinkedIn
Estonian Philharmonic. “Salve Regina” Post 55 (https://youtu.be/a9Dp95JeX-8) (RQ 10).
Photo credit: Houston Chronicle
Estrada, Andres Orozco (Conductor) Post 44 (https://youtu.be/EItWSTt1NlE) (RQ 8).
1804-1875
Photo credit: Edition Silvertrust
Farronc, Louise. “Nonet in E Flat” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/v4p1q0mNjoo) (RQ 8).
1970-
Photo credit: Goteborgs Symfoniket
Frost, Martin. (Clarinet) Sweden Virtuoso Symphony “Klezmer Dances” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/o7OaQMiJc3o) (RQ 9).
1939-
Photo credit: Musical Instrument Hire
Galway, Sir James. (Flute) Virtuoso Symphony “Danny Boy” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/xv1rI1kFvwA) (RQ 9).
1908-1997
Photo credit: MUBI
Grappelli, Stephane. (Guest Fiddle) Virtuoso Symphony “Uptown Dance” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/oMobf1AHbHk) (RQ 9).
1951-
Photo credit: wikipedia
Gurtu, Trilock. (Percussion) India Virtuoso Symphony “A Master” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/SVF6koRqx9M) (RQ 8).
1942-
Photo credit: Colin’s Column
Gutman, Natalia. (Russian cellist) “Bach Suite No1” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/J7QA7zE5Hg0) (RQ 8).
1685-1759
Photo credit: On This Day
Handel, George. “Messiah” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/juckXS8PktE) (RQ 8).
1947-
Photo credit: Radio Romania Muzical
Haugsand, Ketil. (Guest Harpsichord) Virtuoso Symphony (Norway) “Prelude in G Major” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/H3Pmr8wa4vw) (RQ 8).
1732-1809
Photo credit: bolshoimoscow.com
Haydn, Franz. “The Creation” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/l07oRR4u-rk) (RQ 9).
1973-
Photo credit: PMF
Izotov, Eugene. (Oboe) Russia Virtuoso Symphony “Mozart Concerto” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/mJV0dFU_IPU) (RQ 8).
https://youtu.be/WAXzvIRQ-d8?si=gMEF6etv0m3NiE1f
Photo credit: Lamar Advertising
LA Philharmonic. “Romeo and Juliet” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/MEeLl9-l63w) (RQ 8).
1958-
Photo credit: Avie Records
LeClair, Judith. (Bassoon) Virtuoso Symphony “Works for Bassoon” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/_Pm_Y-8bmRY) (RQ 9).
1620-1704
Photo credit: Sunday Baroque
Leonarda, Isabella. “Sonata Dudecima” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/lSKkglNwQEU) (RQ 9).
Photo credit: Facebook
Les Arts Florissants. “Vi Ricorda” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/25ofpbjIFwg) (RQ 9).
Photo credit: Reddit
London Philharmonic. “Bolero” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/GJVWEstu_lM) (RQ 10).
1959-
Photo credit: Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel
Lortie, Louis. (Guest Piano) Canada Virtuoso Symphony “Beethoven Sonata No17” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/4gMBXfRs43M) (RQ 8).
French orchestra leader. Pic from Greatest Hits Album. Wrote over 1,000 titles. One of his best: “Love is Blue” in 1967. (https://youtu.be/Y_tPE3o5NWk)
1955-
Photo credit: Boston Symphony Orchestra
Ma, Yo-Yo. (Cello) Virtuoso Symphony “Bach Suite No1” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/1prweT95Mo0) (RQ 9).
1972-
Photo credit: WAMC
McBride, Christian. (Bass) Virtuoso Symphony “Shake & Bake” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/-ZnWD59IV4s) (RQ 8).
1805-1847
Photo credit: Reddit
Mendelsson, Fanny. “Notturmo in G Major” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/ti1eZ2B63Ro) (RQ 8).
1959-
Photo credit: Musica Viva Australia
Meyer, Sabine. (Clarinet) Germany Virtuoso Symphony “Mozart Concerto” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/Wj7FY3oKkmY) (RQ 9).
1756-1791
Photo credit: medium
Mozart, Wolfgang. “Jupiter Symphony” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/bnK3kh8ZEgA) (RQ 10).
1974
Photo credit: Mercado Libre
Mulligan & Piazzoula Nuevo. “Tango” Post 48 (https://youtu.be/Urbj-xC9DX4) (RQ 8).
1961-
Photo credit: Down East Magazine
O’Conner, Mark. (2nd Violin) Virtuoso Symphony “In the Cluster Blues” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/gPmR7unKp78) (RQ 9).
1945-
Photo credit: Brain and Life Magazine
Perlman, Itzhak. (1st Violin) Virtuoso Symphony “Beethoven Concerto” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/cokCgWPRZPg) (RQ 8).
1974-
Photo credit: Tarisio
Pine, Rachel Barton. (2nd Violin) Virtuoso Symphony “Tchaikovsky Concerto No1” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/hdcpb_mUIrQ) (RQ 7).
1977-
Photo credit: Askonas Holt
Power, Lawrence. (Viola) UK Virtuoso Symphony “Salonen Pentatonic” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/f3ngHLgnvc8) (RQ 9).
RIAS Kammbrchor. “Lobet Den Herrn” Post 55 (https://youtu.be/InrxMA1ID0I) (RQ 9).
Photo credit: Vecteezy
Russian Folk. “Balalaika” Post 49 (https://youtu.be/VhLcLKqGonk) (RQ 7).
1949-
Photo credit: Summit Records
Sandoval, Arturo. (Trumpet) Cuba Virtuoso Symphony “Funky Cha Cha” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/KRBapxrFxu0) (RQ 8).
1797-1828
Photo credit: IMDb
Schubert, Franz. “Ave Maria” (by Barbara Bonny) Post 44 (https://youtu.be/tDQj7j-xogM) (RQ 9).
1819-1896
Photo credit: Louisville Public Media
Schumann, Clara. “Piano Works” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/xhDFHqOLgeQ) (RQ 10).
2020
Photo credit: SoundCloud
Shorr, Daria. (Bass) Virtuoso Symphony (Russia) “Siberia” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/hjGbUuX4_Zw) (RQ 9).
Staatskapelle Orchestra. “Beethoven Symphony No.7 in A major” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/uY2AusGNDUo) (RQ 10).
1619-1677
Photo credit: Perennial Music and Arts
Strozzi, Barbara. “Sino Alla Morte” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/3iW7014VGpI) (RQ 9).
Swedish Radio Choir. “Ich Bin Dcr Walt” Post 55 (https://youtu.be/iuXQjx3lnGU) (RQ 9).
1840-1893
Photo credit: Naxos Records
Tchaikovsky, Pyotr. “Swan Lake” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/9cNQFB0TDfY) (RQ 10).
The Sixteen Allegri’s. “Miserere” Post 55 (https://youtu.be/hAwzChKpDi0) (RQ 8).
1981-
Photo credit: The Irish Times
Thile, Chris. (Guest Mandolin) Virtuoso Symphony “Bach Sonata No1” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/j3lH_Tevw5o) (RQ 8).
Trinity College. (Soloist: Eriks Esenvalds) “Only in Sleep” Post 55 (https://youtu.be/fvPynMI6Umc) (RQ 9).
1937-
Photo credit: Last.fm
Thuneman, Klaus. (Bassoon) Germany Virtuoso Symphony “Vivaldi Concerto)” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/W4LboPMextw) (RQ 9).
1945-2006
Photo credit: Prague Proms
Tslsar, Zdenek. (French Horn) Czech Virtuoso Symphony “Strauss Concerto No2” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/S4QWb8UXpm8) (RQ 9).
1990-
Photo credit: Instagram
Tsybuleva, Anna. (2015 Leeds Winner) “Etude Enforme de Valse” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/2Rn0swlNKuc) (RQ 8).
Photo credit: Public Media Alliance
Vienna Philharmonic. “Neujahrskonzert” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/qrEL4Hh4itg) (RQ 10).
1678-1741
Photo credit: The Masters Music School
Vivaldi, Antonio. “Four Seasons” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/GRxofEmo3HA) (RQ 10).
Photo credit: Audioboom
Westminster Abby. “Miserere Me” Post 55 (https://youtu.be/Psf5Cqjpt7I) (RQ 9).
Touring in 2024
Photo credit: Harlem Stage
Whitaker, Matthew. (Guest Keyboard) (Blind) Virtuoso Symphony “Live Session” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/Ir6zixUUo7g) (RQ 8).
1968-
Photo credit: discogs
Willis, Sarah. (French Horn) Virtuoso Symphony “Mozart Mambo” Post 44 (https://youtu.be/VLGCIgljYks) (RQ 10).
All-Time Greatest Music 