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
Dr Justin Wildridge
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
Orchestral Instruments of the Renaissance
During the Renaissance, culture, science, and philosophy experienced a rebirth. As the name for the period suggests, there was a strong move away from the … Read more
The Impact of Synthesised Instruments on Classical Compositions
The possibility of synthesized sound is not a new one. Synths have been around since the mid-1960s, with inventors like Robert Moog, who created one … Read more
The Influence of Folk Music on Classical Composers
Folk music, depending on culture and global location, can broadly be described as traditional music. It’s often passed down through the generations orally as opposed … Read more
Classical Music and Outer Space: What’s The Connection?
If you’re a Stanley Kubrick fan, you may already have experienced that tremendous link between space and music. The opening scene of the film is … Read more
Brilliant Use of Classical Music in Movie Trailers
It is not uncommon to find that film producers either choose to not commission a new score, preferring instead to use existing classical music. Other … Read more
Mozart’s Operatic Influence on Modern Pop Music
The influence of W.A. Mozart across all areas of culture has been colossal, from the Baby Mozart Project through to contemporary song. You can hardly … Read more
The Influence of Indian Classical Music on Western Composers
As the opportunity for musicians to travel became more accessible and cheaper, the influence of other cultures began to impact composers across the world. From … Read more
6 Famous Romantic Era Music Pieces You Should Know
This article is given over to some of the most well-known and well-loved pieces from the Romantic era of music. The Romantic era is one … Read more