The consistent harmonics of Traveler’s Prayer are an unfamiliar side to the US composer’s output while the exuberant Jacob’s Ladder brings back his familiar propulsive figures

The Proms’ tribute to Andrew Davis was crowned by a joyous Steve Reich premiere, while the next day saw three outstanding musicians grapple with awkward acoustics

The Hallé’s celebration of the 87-year-old composer, curated by percussionist Colin Currie, opened with masterly performances of his intricate works, including the shimmeringly beautiful Music for Ensemble and Orchestra

The Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata and Manchester Collective join forces in an enticing new weekender for their home city. Elsewhere, breathless, barefoot revelations with Messiaen

The patterns of a work by Gerhard Richter inspire one of Reich’s most impressive recent pieces, elegantly performed in 2020

Our critic enjoys a masterly, socially distanced first night of the Proms, a new series by Opera North made to listen as you walk and a striking Met performance by Lise Davidsen

An outstanding disc of piano trios from Gluzman, Moser and Sudbin, a world premiere Debussy recording from the Hallé, and Steve Reich at MoMA

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