Apple Music Classical has introduced a new top 100 chart, compiled weekly from listening figures across more than 165 countries. This comes sixteen months after the launch of the Apple Music Classical app for iOS, which has since expanded globally. The new chart aims to offer a definitive list of the most popular classical pieces worldwide.
Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Apple Music and Beats, stated, "Apple Music Classical has been a huge hit with classical fans around the world. With the launch of Apple Classical Top 100 and the recently announced new partnerships, the app is transforming the world of classical."
The top 100 chart, updated every Monday, can be accessed via the Apple Music Classical app or Apple's chart website. The chart is compiled from five sources using listening figures from over 165 countries:
- Apple Music Classical streams
- Apple Music streams
- iTunes downloads
- iTunes song sales
- Shazam tags
Apple claims that the diverse sources from numerous countries make the Apple Music Classical Top 100 "the most comprehensive and representative chart available."
The inaugural chart is led by "Bach: Keyboard Concertos" performed by Chinese pianist Tianqi Du and the Academy of St Martins in the Fields, conducted by Jonathan Bloxham. Tianqi Du expressed his honor, stating, "These concertos are a vibrant showcase of Bach's energy and spirit, bursting with emotional richness and expressive depth. I am sincerely grateful for the fantastic platform Apple Music Classical provides, helping us musicians connect with classical music lovers globally."
Apple Music Classical is a standalone app, separate from the main Apple Music app, but requires an Apple Music subscription. The new classical top 100 follows Apple's previous best 100 albums in pop and rock, which was a one-off selection chosen by experts instead of being data-driven.