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It is no secret that the fast-paced digital world is changing the way that we listen to classical music, so the Frederick Symphony Orchestra is introducing you to a handful of our favorite talented musicians and singers who fully embraced social sharing and rose to the top of the game, thanks to YouTube:

• 2CELLOS: This Croatian duo consists of classically trained cellists Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser. The young men were signed to Sony Masterworks in 2011, and they have released three albums. However, their YouTube presence is what separates them from other classical musicians, as they regularly cover classic rock and pop songs, including Thunderstruck by AC/DC, Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson, Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, and more. Check out their live concert recordings here.
• Igudesman & Joo: “Alek­sey Igudes­man and Hyung-ki Joo are two clas­si­cal musi­cians who have taken the world by storm with their unique and hilar­i­ous the­atri­cal shows, which com­bine com­edy with clas­si­cal music and pop­u­lar cul­ture,” according to their channel. This zany duo has garnered more than almost 45,000 subscribers and more than 10 million views. Explore their featured channel here.
• Jackie Evancho: This classical crossover singer gained worldwide recognition at a young age from her successful stint on America’s Got Talent. Since 2009, she has issued five albums, earned three Billboard 200 top 10 hits, and launched a national concert tour. Evancho has almost 25 million views on her videos, which include operatic covers of classics and contemporary departures. Listen to the 16-year-old singer on her VEVO channel.
• Lindsey Stirling: As YouTube’s highest-earning musician, making $6 million last year, this virtuoso violinist gets the opportunity to collaborate with everyone from superstars John Legend and Andrew McMahon to fellow social media sensations like Pentatonix, Tyler Ward, and Megan Nicole. After 9 years, Stirling has gained more than 8.5 million subscribers and more than 1.5 billion views.

  This starpower is escalating rapidly, as she put out her first worldwide album, Brave Enough in 2016, which features country duo Dan + Shay, singer Christina Perri, and hip-hop artist Lecrae. Listen to clips of it on iTunes, and check out her channel here.

• ThePianoGuys: According to their channel, ThePianoGuys are comprised of a video-savvy marketing genius, a dual studio engineer and lyricist, a successful piano soloist, and an uber-talented cellist. The quartet strives “to make a positive impact in the lives of people all over the world through music videos.”

  With more than 5 million subscribers and a billion video views, this group of men has collaborated with a cappella artist Peter Hollens, conductor Plácido Domingo, singer Sarah Schmidt, and more. Aside from the classical music staples, they also perform covers of Top 40 hits, like One Direction’s What Makes You Beautiful and Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are, as well as Disney favorites like Let It Go from Frozen. View their channel here.

• Valentina Lisitsa: With almost 290,000 subscribers and 127 million views, this Ukrainian classical pianist has amassed a cult-like following on YouTube. Her most popular video is Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Op. 27 No. 2, Movement 3, which was recorded in Beethovensaal in Hannover, Germany, where Wilhelm Kempff recorded the Beethoven cycle. Learn more about Lisitsa in NPR Music’s featured article, or check out her channel.

We highly suggest checking out any of these YouTube stars, if you have a few minutes. While you’re there, you can also subscribe to the FSO’s channel here. If you want to see the classical talents of our local musicians in person by grabbing tickets to see our latest concert, A Mannheim Steamroller Christmas. Click below for more information: