Essential commemorations and anniversaries in classical music in 2020
Through 10 centuries, so many anniversaries to remember! Classical music covers 10 centuries of history, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. There are many opportunities each year to celebrate great composers, creations or emblematic venues of classical music. So many anniversaries! From January to December, there is always a good reason to discover a musician, to rediscover a work. And above all, 365 opportunities to be curious.
Essential celebrations in 2020
Some dates to remember in 2020:
- 1810-02-22, Frédéric Chopin (Birth, 1814-01-01)
- 1840-04-25, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Birth, 1844-01-01)
- 1860-07-07, Gustav Mahler (Birth, 1864-01-01)
- 1750-07-28, Johann Sebastian Bach (Death, 1754-01-01)
- 1770-12-16, Ludwig van Beethoven (Birth, 1774-01-01)
No fewer than 3 centenarians are expected in 2020 (and 3 multi-centenarians). This year, among the great figures of classical music to be commemorated are: Henri Vieuxtemps (February), Isaac Stern (July), Amália Rodrigues (July), Max Bruch (October), Jenny Lind (October).
There are many more: 1920, 1820, 1720...
2020, a special year for some orchestras and venues
These orchestras celebrate in 2020:
- 100th anniversary (1920)
- Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra (Azerbaijan)
- Cincinnati Opera (United States of America)
- City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (United Kingdom)
- Uppsala Domkyrkas Gosskör (Uppsala Municipality) (Sweden)
- Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (Canada)
- Virginia Symphony Orchestra (United States of America)
and these venues as well:
- 200th anniversary (1820)
- Opéra Royal de Wallonie (Liège), Belgium
- 100th anniversary (1920)
All commemorations in 2020, month by month
February
17
Henri Vieuxtemps , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, Belgian violinist (1820-1881)
200th anniversary (Birth)
22
Frédéric Chopin , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, Polish composer and pianist (1810-1849)
210th anniversary (Birth)
03
Vincenzo Galilei , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, Italian lutenist, composer and music theorist
500th anniversary (Birth)
25
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, Russian composer (1840–1893)
180th anniversary (Birth)
27
15
27
Niccolò Paganini , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, Italian violinist and composer (1782–1840)
180th anniversary (Death)
08
Robert Schumann , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, German composer, pianist and critic (1810–1856)
210th anniversary (Birth)
07
Gustav Mahler , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, Austrian late-Romantic composer (1860–1911)
160th anniversary (Birth)
21
Isaac Stern , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, American musician
100th anniversary (Birth)
23
Amália Rodrigues , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, Portuguese recording artist, fado singer, actress (1920-1999)
100th anniversary (Birth)
28
Johann Sebastian Bach , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, German composer (1685–1750)
270th anniversary (Death)
September
26
Béla Bartók , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, Hungarian composer and pianist
75th anniversary (Death)
October
02
Max Bruch , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, German romantic composer and conductor (1838-1920)
100th anniversary (Death)
05
Jacques Offenbach , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, German-born French composer (1819–1880)
140th anniversary (Death)
06
Jenny Lind , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, Swedish classical singer
200th anniversary (Birth)
December
03
Opera
“Maometto secondo” , Commemorations (2020), Classical music
Premiere in 1820 (200th anniversary)
Teatro di San Carlo
04
Opera
“Die tote Stadt, Op. 12” , Commemorations (2020), Classical music
Premiere in 1920 (100th anniversary)
12
Work for orchestra
“La valse, Op. 72” , Commemorations (2020), Classical music
Premiere in 1920 (100th anniversary)
16
Ludwig van Beethoven , Commemorations (2020), Classical music, German composer (1770–1827)
250th anniversary (Birth)
See also...
Other commemorations and anniversaries
Classical music history
timelines
That year