Why Are Cellos So Expensive?
The manufacturing of any instrument from the humble recorder to the church organ is a complex process that requires the skill of many people. Numerous … Read more
Dr Justin Wildridge
What Makes Classical Music Classical?
I regularly hear the term ‘classical music’ being used to describe anything from Phillip Glass through to Josquin Des Prez. It is a way of … Read more
The Mystical Music of Hildegard of Bingen: A Medieval Composer and Visionary
In a previous article, I was fortunate enough to focus on female composers, and amongst the collection was Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179). Why did I … Read more
13 Easy Violin Pieces for Beginners
In this article, I have hunted down pieces for the less experienced violinist that are both rewarding and challenging to play. Even though these pieces … Read more
Beethoven Late Period – His Greatest Music Pieces
Beethoven’s creative life is frequently placed into three periods; early, middle and late. It is a way of breaking down and analyzing the substantial contribution … Read more
12 Famous Piano Pieces from the Movies
The piano has become an iconic instrument for numerous films over the years, from the days of the silent film to the present day. Perhaps … Read more
What Makes A Great Composer?
In some respects, this is a choice or judgement for every individual. I may consider WA Mozart to be the greatest composer who ever lived, … Read more
5 Pieces of Classical Music about Autumn
1. Autumn from “The Seasons”; Op. 67; by Alexander Glazunov Glazunov is not a name we readily hear these days in the concert halls and on … Read more
10 Most Famous Classical Music Pieces (Popular Classical Music Pieces)
The list of pieces for the above title could probably run for pages and cause all manner of consternation over what is considered to be … Read more
Characteristics of Classical Music: An introduction
Periods of music are often hotly contested and accompanied by the notion that over-night one period of music magically transformed into the next. Imagine falling … Read more
How Does Ravel’s Music Differ From Debussy’s?
If the names above are not familiar to you, then you are in for a treat. Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy composed some of the … Read more
4 Hardest Violin Pieces Ever Written (Most Difficult Violin Pieces)
For the purposes of this article, I will confine my selection of violin works to the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods of music. Once you … Read more
How Did Beethoven Support Himself Financially?
Beethoven did not immediately rise to stardom and the ranks of the rich and the famous. Like many musicians at that time, life was a … Read more
Mozart’s Symphonies: Four of the Best Symphonies by Mozart
When you take a long hard look at the work of W.A Mozart it is no minor challenge to have to select the best of … Read more
Leader Of An Orchestra And The Role-Playing
With the conductor at the helm of any modern-day orchestra, what can be the reason for having an orchestral leader? In fact, what is … Read more