Dr Justin Wildridge

Characteristics of Hector Berlioz Music For many listeners, Hector Berlioz epitomizes the image of the Romantic composer. His works are often monumental in their ambitions … Read more

In Beethoven’s relatively short life he devoted significant time to composing for the instrument that he made his own: the piano. Even though Beethoven composed … Read more

I have often felt that trying to figure out exactly what makes a composition have lasting appeal and to be considered good, is like trying … Read more

Despite what you may feel about technology and its advancements, the idea of an immersive experience using VR in the world of classical music is … Read more

This is a question I’ve often been asked by students. It is not as easy to answer as you might think. Some people find some … Read more

Minimalism grew organically out of a reaction to the Western creative cultures that dominated the landscape of late 1950s America. Since then, its popularity and … Read more

It may be helpful when exploring the title to understand that the word renaissance broadly means re-birth. This is particularly relevant as, during this colourful … Read more

Not being a brass player myself, I have based my findings on having worked with many brass players and the comments made by them and … Read more

For many people, the use of the word medieval conjures up a time of extreme poverty, war and plague with little in the way of … Read more

There are and continue to be many pieces of music that do not ask the singer to sing words at all. Instead, performers may be … Read more

The tragically short life of Franz Schubert gave rise to some of the most celebrated and performed music written during that period of history. Schubert, … Read more

With the hundreds of years that are now between us and the world of Mozart and Beethoven, it becomes difficult to understand how their lives … Read more