This Year In Classical Music: 13 Must-See Concerts In NYC

From its legendary venues like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to housing world-class orchestras, NYC offers something special for every classical music enthusiast. This year, the classical scene promises an exciting blend of star-studded performances by the New York and the Vienna Philharmonic, Lang Lang and London Symphony Orchestra, and undoubtedly, lots of timeless masterpieces. Explore NYC’s rich tradition of symphonic excellence with our top classical concert picks throughout 2025.

Classical Music Highlights Over The Coming Months

New York Philharmonic start of the year concerts

The New York Philharmonic has started the new year with a stellar lineup and diverse program. One of its highlights includes the Lunar New Year Concert celebrating the Year of the Snake on February 11, led by Maestra Tianyi Lu.

It is also welcoming two highly-anticipated young conductors, namely Karina Canellakis, whose debut performance with the Philharmonic was named one of the New York Times’ “Best Classical Performances of 2024” and the chief conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Santtu-Matias Rouvali.

February – December 2025

David Geffen Hall

Met Opera

Another heavy hitter in the classical music world—the Metropolitan Opera—is also hosting sensational performances by celebrated artists.

A few worth mentioning are firstly, Angel Blue who is making her Met role debut as Aida and Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča as Amneris in Verdi’s Aida, conducted by Hungarian Maestro Nézet-Séguin. Furthermore, Aigul Akhmetshina is returning to the Met as Rosina in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Other much-anticipated soloists include Amartuvshin Enkhbat from Mongolia and Lise Davison from Norway, who are set to appear in various productions.

Various dates

Lincoln Center

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: Bruckner’s String Quintet

Featuring two Beethoven sonatas and Quintet in F major for Two Violins, Two Violas, and Cello by Anton Bruckner, top-tier musicians—including Pinchas Zuckerman on violin—are set to wow audiences with technical brilliance at one of the most keenly awaited classical concerts of the year.

February 2, 2025

Alice Tully Hall

Vienna Philharmonic

You might tune in to see their iconic New Year’s Concert at the end of your festive celebrations or you may be familiar with their two-century-long legacy. Either way, the acclaimed Philharmonic is taking over the Stern Auditorium for three consecutive days this year under the direction of Maestro Riccardo Muti and they’re bringing their Viennese-style instruments with them.

February 28, March 1 and 2, 2025

Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall

Oxford Philharmonic Piano Trio

Concertmaster Carmine Lauri and cellist Peter Adams of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra team up with pianist Russell Hirshfield to perform a selection of rarely hear piano trios, such as Schubert’s Notturno in E-flat Major for Piano Trio, D. 897 and Jennifer Higdon “Pale Yellow” from Piano Trio.

March 14, 2025

Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall

London Symphony Orchestra

Led by Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, the London Symphony Orchestra returns to Carnegie Hall with back-to-back performances. The most recorded orchestra in the world will take on Mahler’s First Symphony, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with a special appearance by superstar pianist Yunchan Lim, among other well-known pieces.

March 5 and 6, 2025

Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall

Lang Lang Recital

From performing on the world’s oldest and biggest stages including the Beijing Olympics and at the 2014 Grammy Awards with Metallica to collaborating with crossover artists in the likes of Herbie Hancock and Pharrell, Lang Lang remains an enduring icon in the world of music.

This year, the renowned pianist is touring the world and stopping in NYC where he’ll take on pieces by Chopin, Schumann and Fauré. Watching Lang Lang perform live should be on your bucket list. You have two shots to cross him off your list as he’ll take over Carnegie Hall twice this spring.

March 8 and 12, 2025

Isaac Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall

Anthems of Dialogue

This novel initiative features works by narrative-driven composer and flutist Erin Spencer and 2020 Latin GRAMMY® Winning contemporary classical composer and flutist José Valentino. Performed by the talented Beta Quartet, hear breathtaking chamber music guided by the melodies of the flute.

May 22, 2025

Benzaquen Hall, DiMenna Center for Classical Music

New England Symphonic Ensemble spring concerts

The NESE started as a youth ensemble in 1964 and has now become a huge platform for young musicians to play on world-renowned stages. This year, they return to NYC with performances of Mendelssohn’s Sinfonia X, Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass, Mack Wilberg’s A Cloud of Witnesses, and more. Expect to see conductors like Kathleen Hansen, Sterling Poulson and Cailin Marcel Manson take the baton on selected dates.

Various dates

Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall

Orchestra of St. Luke’s Bach’s Complete Brandenburg Concerti

The celebrated New York City-based chamber orchestra offers year-round classical concerts at Carnegie Hall and the DiMenna Center for Classical Music. But this performance of the Baroque composer’s Brandenburg Concerti is something you should keep an eye on as it’s an interpretation of the complete piece, inspired by the Margrave of Brandenburg.

June 24, 2025

Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall 

Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center

During Lincoln Center’s annual Summer for the City, the festival comes together to offer free performances of classical masterpieces and contemporary works. This summer, fans of classical music can look forward to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, Brahms’ Violin Concerto with Benjamin Beilman, Bologne’s Sinfonia Concertante in G, No. 2, and many more.

June – August 2025 (exact dates TBD)

  Lincoln Center

Mozart’s Messiah by the Distinguished Concerts International New York

Every holiday season, the Distinguished Concerts International New York offer a captivating performance of Handel’s Messiah, presented in Mozart’s 1789 edition. The show features a combination of orchestral takes and choirs from diverse backgrounds and regions.

December 2025 (exact dates TBD)

Carnegie Hall

Candlelight concerts

However, if you’re just getting into the genre, you don’t have to start big with costly performances. The globally celebrated Candlelight series offers a variety of classical tributes accessible for all audiences hosted at culturally significant venues across NYC, including The Sheen Center and Sony Hall. These shows pay homage to celebrated composers like Vivaldi and Joe Hisaishi as well as contemporary icons, such as Taylor Swift, Queen and Coldplay hits.

Year-round shows

Various locations

This year’s upcoming classical concerts highlight the city’s unmatched cultural vibrancy with stellar performances of renowned classics and contemporary works. Each show is unique in instrumentation and character, making them great plans for every classical music aficionado.

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