How the 1812 Overture Became Part of the Fourth of July Celebration
One of the most popular pieces of classical music for the Fourth of July fireworks is Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Its full name: 1812 Festival Overture, … Read more
Cynthia Collins
How a Children’s Song Achieved Classical Music Success
Children’s songs and folk music are often handed down through an oral tradition. They seem to spring up without any specific composer yet survive numerous … Read more
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Morse Code
There is a connection between Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and the Morse code. Although approximately 30 years separated the creation of this particular symphony and the … Read more
Kazoo: An American Toy and Instrument
The familiar sound of pitched buzzing comes from a popular American toy and a musical instrument called a kazoo. Children and adults alike hum into … Read more
The History and Purpose of Toy Pianos
Toy pianos originated in Germany during the mid-19th century as toys and musical instruments for young children. Immigrants brought them to North America as part … Read more
Olivier Messiaen: 20th-Century Composer
The compositions of Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) reflect the bridging of traditional, tonal music with the avant-garde styles of the 20th century. He was born in … Read more
Composer Louis Vierne and His Organ Symphonies
The French composer, Louis Vierne (1870-1937), wrote six symphonies as large-scale concert works for pipe organ. He studied with French composer-organists César Franck and Charles-Marie … Read more
The Musical Contributions of Benjamin Franklin
In addition to being one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) made a significant impact as an author, inventor, scientist, … Read more
Hail to the Chief: History of U.S. Presidential Anthem
“Hail to the Chief” is the official anthem announcing the arrival of the president of the United States at formal events. It has been used … Read more
El Amor Brujo: Manuel de Falla’s Ballet Celebrates Flamenco
Manuel de Falla’s El Amor Brujo, or Love, the Magician, is a ballet but not in the traditional sense. It uses flamenco steps instead of … Read more
Amahl and the Night Visitors: A Christmas Opera
Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors, was written for the 1951 Christmas Eve live broadcast that was the premiere of an NBC … Read more
Vienna Philharmonic Annual New Year’s Concert Celebrates 2016
The Vienna Philharmonic welcomes New Year’s 2016 in grand style with its traditional celebratory concert held in the Musikverein, in Vienna, Austria. Julie Andrews returns … Read more
Benjamin Britten and His Ceremony of Carols
British composer Benjamin Britten wrote his cantata, A Ceremony of Carols, during World War II while he was crossing the Atlantic in 1942 aboard a … Read more
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: Kansas City Icon
Kansas City’s concert hall, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, started out as an idea and a sketch on a napkin. This uniquely shaped … Read more
Arthur Sullivan: His Music Without Gilbert
The Victorian-era composer, Arthur Sullivan, is most famous as part of the British opera writing team of Gilbert and Sullivan who collaborated on 14 comic … Read more