The Enigmatic Life of Charles-Valentin Alkan
Alkan was, according to many accounts, not only a virtuoso pianist but a warm, if slightly shy, individual. It was through Alkan’s professor at the … Read more
Dr Justin Wildridge
The Role of Patronage in Shaping the Music of the Baroque Era
Unlike today, where composers can receive or pitch for commissions from individuals, companies, or foundations, the options for funding during the Baroque Era were considerably … Read more
The Legacy of Tchaikovsky’s Ballets
It is challenging to know whether Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is better known these days for his symphonic works or his ballets. Perhaps it is his … Read more
The Role of Music in Film and Television
When the world of the moving picture arrived in the early part of the 20th century, it was a revolution. What is often referred to … Read more
4 Types of Counterpoint in Classical Music
Before plunging headlong into the details of this title, let’s just take a moment to appreciate what is meant when the word counterpoint is used … Read more
A Comparison of Live Music vs. Recorded Music Experiences
For tens of thousands of people, going to a gig or concert is a passion. For others, the very idea of standing in a crowd … Read more
The Role of Music in Ancient Greek Tragedies
When we look back in time to an era so distant as the Ancient Greeks, we can have a large degree of speculation and educated … Read more
The Romanticism in Beethoven’s Music
Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most celebrated classical composers to ever have lived. His life and his music continue to attract authors who … Read more
The Evolution of Opera in 20th-Century America
Arriving with any certainty at historical facts can prove to be a slippery quest. The earliest accounts of opera being performed in America date back … Read more
A Crossover Between Early Electronic Music and Classical
Experiments with electronics stretch back further in time than you might first imagine. Natural human curiosity coupled with the desire to create something unheard of … Read more
Exploring Microtonal Music: Pioneers and Composers
Before plunging headlong into the composers themselves, let’s pause and take a brief look at what microtonal music is. For the best part of over … Read more
The Impact of Stradivarius on Violin Making
In a recent article, I gave a broad account of the evolution of the violin with a particular focus on the work of the Cremona … Read more
The Best of Beethoven (4 Beautiful Works by Ludwig van Beethoven)
The following pieces are very much my personal choice of music from this great composer. There are many other astonishing pieces that Beethoven composed that … Read more
5 Neglected Female Composers from the Baroque Era
There’s an old adage that goes something like history is written by the victors. In the case of Western Cultural history, all too often women’s … Read more
The Evolution of the Violin: from Baroque to Modern Times
The violin has become such a familiar instrument to us these days that it is perhaps difficult to imagine the humble origins from which it … Read more