Apple Music and Spotify Wrapped have both unveiled the top streamed artists of the year. In a year that once again highlighted women's dominance in pop charts, Taylor Swift stood out on both lists, topping the album charts. It has been a remarkable year for streaming charts, with notable performances from artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, and Chappell Roan, alongside male artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Benson Boone. If these lists seem predictable, a quick look at Apple's classical music platform, Apple Music Classical, reveals an even more steadfast landscape. Frédéric Chopin, the 19th-century Polish composer, appears in the top five most streamed albums list not once, but twice.
Launched last year and expanded to Asia in January 2024, Apple Music Classical was designed to address the issue of music streaming services not catering to fans of classical music. While pop music listeners typically stick to the original versions of songs, classical music enthusiasts often prefer different renditions by contemporary performers. Consequently, the most listened-to classical albums of 2024 include a variety of contemporary works and new albums by modern performers playing pieces by classical composers.
South Korean virtuoso pianist Yunchan Lim tops the Apple Music Classical charts. The 20-year-old gained fame for winning the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition two years ago, and his first album since signing with Decca features his performance of Chopin's two sets of études, totaling 24 pieces. 'Interpreting Chopin's Etudes was a rewarding challenge, and I am so grateful that these recordings have resonated worldwide,' Lim said. 'I am deeply honored that my latest album is the Top Classical Album of 2024 on Apple Music.'
One of the world's most beloved composers, Chopin, also appears in fourth place with Mao Fujita's '72 Preludes'. Japanese pianist Fujita pairs Chopin's 24 Preludes with three other sets of preludes by Alexander Scriabin and Akio Yashiro. Between Chopin's Études and Preludes, many of his most recognizable works are featured, showcasing the romantic pianist's balance between restraint and dexterous melody. Both contemporary performers have delivered solid interpretations of Chopin's work.
Chopin's enduring fame is partly due to the fact that most of his work was limited to the piano. Unlike other composers of his era who regularly composed for entire orchestras, his oeuvre is a testament to the lyrical beauty of the solo piano. The piano is a prominent feature in the Apple Classical charts, leading in four of the top five albums. Chinese pianist Lang Lang, one of the most recognizable names in contemporary piano, collaborates with his wife, German-Korean pianist Gina Alice Redlinger, the Gewandhausorchester conducted by Andris Nelsons, and narration by Jimmy Fallon on his new album 'Saint-Saëns'.
Lang combines French romantic composer Camille Saint-Saëns' 1886 opus 'The Carnival of the Animals' with performances of works by impressionist composers such as Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy. While all recorded in new versions, these compositions are over a century old. The enduring relevance of works by Chopin, Saint-Saëns, and Debussy can be attributed to their sheer brilliance and exposure. As we move further from their musical eras, our collective knowledge of romantic composers narrows, leaving only what has transcended to canon status.
Among the top five, there are also two albums by contemporary composers. Max Richter, possibly the most famous classical composer of the 21st century, depending on whether film composers like John Williams and Hans Zimmer are included, has seen his fame boosted by the use of his music in film and TV soundtracks. His 2015 album 'Sleep', the only one of the top five not released this year, is Richter's attempt at an 'eight-hour lullaby' intended to be listened to as you go to bed. Its inclusion in the list might reflect the public's view of classical music as ambient background music rather than a powerful genre in its own right.
Finally, in fifth place is Canadian composer Stephan Moccio's latest album 'Legends, Myths and Lavender'. Moccio, known for writing songs for artists like The Weeknd and Miley Cyrus, presents a minimalist piano-led album that explores comforting imagery. The release of Apple Music Classical has undoubtedly made classical music more accessible to its fans, but the year's top five suggests that taste in the genre remains focused on calming compositions suitable for background listening.
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