From today, Apple Music’s stand-alone classical music app, Apple Music Classical, is now available in Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Existing subscribers to Apple Music now have access to the largest classical music catalogue in a bespoke environment that has been tailored for the demands of the classical music enthusiast (such as more sophisticated search and superior metadata).

‘Everything we do comes down to our deep love for music,' said Oliver Schusser, global lead for Apple Music. ‘Classical is so foundational to music of all genres but until now there was no great streaming experience available for artists and fans. We believe Apple Music Classical solves that problem, with the largest classical music selection in the world, the very best search and browse capabilities, the best premium sound experience with Spatial Audio, thousands of exclusive recordings from the world's most incredible artists and so much more. I’m so proud of this app and I am excited to make it available to even more listeners all around the world today.’

To spearhead this Asian launch, Apple Music Classical have worked with a distinguished roster of musical ambassadors, many of whom hail from the region including Lang Lang, Yunchan Lim, Kaori Muraji, Yutaka Sado and Hayato Sumino, and who join Yo-Yo Ma and Hilary Hahn, among others. The South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim, winner of the Van Cliburn competition in 2022, and newly signed to Decca, commented that ‘Music trespasses boundaries and connects people. Indeed, when music speaks, everyone understands. This is the message I like to share through my music – and this is possible thanks to Apple Music Classical. I'm incredibly proud to collaborate with Apple Music Classical worldwide and to share my musical dreams.’

This regional launch of Apple Music Classical adds a large number of new partners to the Apple Music Classical ecosystem. So, joining the Berlin Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, Opéra national de Paris, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony and the Vienna Philharmonic are the Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Disney on CLASSIC, New Japan Philharmonic, Lotte Concert Hall, NCPA Orchestra, Seoul Arts Center, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Suntory Hall, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and Tongyeong International Music Festival.

The composer focus of the app has been expanded to include a number of major composers from the region, complete with their digital portraits, so you can now find a focus on Nie Er, Nan-pa Hong, Toshiro Mayuzumi, Xian Qinghai, Rentarō Taki, Yuzo Toyama, Kōsaku Yamada, Isang Yun and Huang Zi.

‘I am thrilled to see Apple Music’s new classical music app provide an enriched and more immersive experience for classical music lovers,’ said the pianist Lang Lang. ‘As I strive to inspire more kids and young people to discover classical music, I would like to the see the app’s accessibility and user-friendly interface draw in new audiences. I look forward to partnering with Apple Music Classical in pursuing the mission to pass on the love for the great universe of classical music to future generations.’