Concept
January 1 – The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra gives its annual New Year Concert at the Musikverein; Daniel Barenboim conducts a programme that includes Josef Strauss's "Friedenspalmen", in recognition of the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. January 14 – The musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra ratify a new contract, ending a 15-month lockout. January 23 – English National Opera announces simultaneously that Edward Gardner is conclude his tenure as music director in 2015, and that Mark Wigglesworth is to succeed Gardner as ENO Music Director. January 26 – At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, Maria Schneider's Winter Morning Walks wins two awards. February 18 – Violinist Vanessa-Mae competes for Thailand at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. March 26 – The Orchestra Haydn announces the appointment of Arvo Volmer as its next chief conductor, effective September 1, 2014, with an initial contract of 3 years. April 1 – A 90th birthday concert for Sir Neville Marriner is held by the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields at the Royal Festival Hall, with soloists Joshua Bell and Murray Perahia. April 22 – The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra announces that Mariss Jansons is to conclude his chief conductorship of the orchestra after the 2014–2015 season. April 24 Operatic tenor Ben Heppner announces his retirement from opera and concert performance, but continues as a broadcaster. The Minnesota Orchestra announces the re-appointment of Osmo Vänskä as its music director, with a 2-year contract. April 28 – Julian Lloyd Webber announces his retirement from playing cello and performance owing to a herniated disc in his neck which has reduced the power of his bowing arm. May 6 – The Munich Radio Orchestra announces that Ulf Schirmer is to conclude this tenure as its chief conductor at the end of the 2016–2017 season. May 13 – Anonymous 4 announces that the 2015–2016 season is to be their final season before disbanding the ensemble. May 28 – The Royal Northern Sinfonia announces the appointment of Lars Vogt as its next music director, effective September 2015.