ICMA Names 346 Recordings and Videos on Its 2027 Longlist

The International Classical Music Awards have selected 346 audio and video productions for consideration in their 2027 awards. They were released by 102 labels based across Europe, Asia and North America. A production needed support from at least two jury members to reach the nomination stage.

The field includes established soloists, ensembles, conductors and orchestras, alongside younger musicians receiving a nomination for the first time. Alpha, Naxos, Harmonia Mundi and Pentatone account for the largest number of entries among the labels. The figures describe the breadth of the longlist, not the eventual distribution of prizes.

A large nomination field makes the judging process a way of mapping what has recently been recorded as well as choosing winners. Audio releases sit beside filmed productions, reflecting the different ways classical performances reach listeners and viewers. Smaller labels can be present in the same pool as companies with much larger catalogues, though a nomination alone says little about how each work will fare in its category.

The awards’ jury will now assess the entries across its divisions. Those decisions will determine which projects move from a broad international survey to final recognition. For musicians and producers, the first value of the list is visibility: a nominated recording becomes easier for audiences outside its home market to find. For listeners, the 346 titles offer a substantial guide to recent classical releases before the winners are named.