First Night fireworks with Elim Chan and co, a triumphant farewell from Mark Elder, and a ravishing love triangle kicked off a re-energised Proms

Two tragic new operas, Mussorgsky with bells on and rousing community endeavours inspired and moved, while ENO hit highs despite a year of turmoil

James MacMillan’s inspiring four-day festival brings together top-class professionals and local performers, while Antonio Pappano gives the Barbican a tantalising taster

James MacMillan’s evocative Second Violin Concerto was premiered by Nicola Benedetti and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a committed and accomplished performance

Star violist Lawrence Power and John Wilson’s orchestra dazzle at the Proms. Elsewhere, fireworks on the stage and podium in early Verdi, and a young pianist astonishes

James MacMillan embraces history – and the listener – with his Christmas Oratorio. And Alina Ibragimova astounds in fearless Shostakovich

Jay Capperauld’s macabre new work – Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death – is full of orchestral colour but felt unresolved. The premiere was preceded by serene performances of Wagner and Ives

There was impeccable singing and playing, but James MacMillan’s substantial new works disappointed

Over the coming week, the Guardian will select the greatest culture since 2000, carefully compiled by critics and editors. We begin with a countdown of defining classical music compositions, from X-rated opera to high-tech string quartets

The latest symphony from the pre-eminent Scottish composer, a meditation on the Holy Spirit featuring a striking 20-voice motet, received a rapturous response

The National Youth Brass Band added poignancy to MacMillan’s new oratorio, set to words by Charles Hamilton Sorley, who died in the first world war

Brass band, international stars and local singers joined forces to magnificent effect at James MacMillan’s fifth Ayrshire festival

James MacMillan’s dark new requiem vied with Euro-gloom and Handel’s frogs in a stormy week at the Proms

St John’s Smith Square, London
This year’s roster of fine young musicians and composers made merry with everything from James MacMillan to oysters and Eurostar