With many arts organizations and concert halls closing their doors due to concerns from the coronavirus, there has been a surge in performances offered for free online during the closures. Here is our updated list of great free and paid performances, recurring events and concert libraries that you can enjoy from home.
If you enjoy the free performances below, please consider making a donation to the organization as if you had bought a concert ticket to the event. Many organizations rely on ticket sales and individual giving and could use the support in a time where ticket sales are nonexistent due to the spread of COVID-19.
Are you a performer or a member of classical ensemble that is planning on livestreaming a concert? Let us know! Email Brooke Knoll at bknoll@mpr.org to add your event to the list.
Concert Calendar
Updated March 26, noon central
March 27
6:30 p.m. central — Tesla Quartet: Livestream performance of Bartok's String Quartet No. 3, Sz. 85 & Romanian Folk Dances (arr. Ross Snyder)
March 28
4:00 p.m. central — VocalEssence: Call of the North concert
March 29
7:00 a.m. central — Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Lunchtime Music Online: RBC Saxophone Department
March 31
4:00 p.m. central — American Composers Forum: Composer-to-Composer Talks: Meredith Monk and Missy Mazzoli
April 2
6:30 p.m. central — World Premiere: Broadcast at the Crossroads by Lisa Bielawa
April 3
11:00 a.m. central — Jupiter String Quartet: Streamed Concert presented by Arizona Friends of Chamber Music
April 11
4:30 p.m. central — Shriver Hall Concert Series presents violinist Jennifer Koh
5:00 p.m. central — New West Symphony presents a tour of Iran
April 15
12:30 p.m. central — Scottish Chamber Orchestra Presents the World Premiere of Associate Composer Anna Clyne's Overflow
Concert libraries are listed in alphabetical order by ensemble.
American Composers Orchestra
The American Composers Orchestra pairs composers and performers to create new solo works, aiming to support artists financially, to create new works that will live beyond this crisis, and to provide virtual, interactive performances to ACO's supporters and the general public. You can view these premieres on their YouTube channel.
Art Tower Mito in Japan
The Mito Chamber Orchestra with Seiji Ozawa is uploading videos of past performances that you can watch on-demand.
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Stream performances from the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra from the past year, including works by Brahms, Mahler and Beethoven.
Berlin Philharmonic
The Berlin Philharmonic is offers a trial for free access to its Digital Concert Hall before asking for a subcription.
Budapest Festival Orchestra
The Budapest Festival Orchestra is putting on a series of Quarantine Soirées daily.
Chamber Music Northwest Virtual Festival
Chamber Music Northwest is offering their 2020-2021 season as virtual concerts.
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Watch hundreds of archived videos and livestreams in their Watch & Listen library.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Watch past performances and videos from musician's homes on their CSO at Home portal.
City Music Foundation
Starting June 17, the City Music Foundation will present weekly YouTube live broadcasts at noon central.
Colorado Symphony Orchestra
The ensemble launched their #PlayOn videos on their YouTube channel.
Columbia University Miller Theatre
Watch a performance of Bach Collection and stay tuned for more videos.
Concert Roulette
Concert Roulette provides you with a random concert (out of over 200 videos we have handpicked from around the world) starting at the moment of the upbeat.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Watch videos from the DSO's extensive video library, which they have made free for the next month.
Discovery Orchestra
Discovery Orchestra's chat videos features Maestro Maull leading listeners to personally encounter "Aha!" moments in music.
Doori Na, violinist
Violinist Doori Na hosts weekly Laid Bach Concerts on their Facebook page at noon central.
From the Top's Daily Joy
Watch young musicians from around the country perform daily LIVE on From The Top's Facebook page.
Google Arts & Culture Virtual Tours
Immerse yourself in amazing venues and performances with Google's Virtual Tours. Highlights include the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall and the Royal College of Music.
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Watch select concerts and videos from the the orchestra's musicians as they social distance.
Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra
The musicians of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra are virtually creating videos together while social distancing.
Living Room Live
Canada's classical house concert network is livestreaming concerts every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. central.
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Watch videos from the orchestra's concert archive, as well as videos created by musicians while social distancing.
London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra's YouTube channel has over 500 videos of performances and informational lessons.
Matinee Musicale
The Duluth-based music series has switched gears for this year, presenting a new free virtual concert each month, highlighting renowned and up-and-coming musicians alike.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has full concerts on their YouTube channel.
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Musicians
The musicians of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra have been sharing videos from their homes.
Metropolitan Opera Student Streams
The Metropolitan Opera introduced new Free Student Streams! Each week, they'll be offering one opera specially selected for young audience members around the globe, along with opportunities to learn more about the production and hear from some of the amazing artists who helped make it happen.
Minnesota Orchestra
The Minnesota Orchestra launched their Minnesota Orchestra at Home series, and ongoing project of small concerts created for everyone directly from the musicians' homes. You can also watch stream previous livestreamed concerts from their current concert series.
Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra
Watch performances from the ensemble's watch at home portal.
New York Philharmonic
The ensemble launched NY Phil Plays On, a collection of video broadcasts of past performances.
Orli Shaham's MidWeek Mozart
Each Wednesday, pianist Orli Shaham brings you an exclusive: music from her forthcoming recording of Mozart sonatas
Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra
The Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra has been posting archived concerts on their Curtain Call video library.
Philharmonie de Paris
Stream archived videos from the Philharmonie de Paris.
The Recital Stream
The Recital Stream is a project bringing recitals from classical musician's living rooms to your home. Check out their website for upcoming performances and links.
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
View archived performances on the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra's Vimeo Channel.
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra has a free online concert library, with audio recorded by Classical MPR. Browse past performances and watch with a free account.
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera is offering a free 30 day trial for their video library.
Würth Philharmonic
The Würth Philharmonic is offering a concert livestream every second Saturday at 10 a.m. central on their YouTube channel, starting on May 23.
Are you a performer or a member of classical ensemble that is planning on livestreaming a concert? Let us know! Email Brooke Knoll at bknoll@mpr.org to add your event to the list.
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