Watch pianist Gabriella Montero’s improvisation on Habanera
Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero is renowned internationally for her ability to improvise and she doesn’t disappoint in this video. Prompted by an audience member after … Read more
CLASSICAL
Is music education being neglected?
Figures released on the uptake of GCSEs in English schools point to a deepening crisis of music education and in the creative subjects more broadly. … Read more
How Brazilian Folk Music Influenced Classical Composer Heitor Villa-Lobos
The music of composer Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) reflects a combination of traditional European and native Brazilian influence. He was exposed to classical music at an … Read more
Youth orchestra shows how to pass time when stranded at the airport
Part of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra got stranded at JFK Airport in New York after their flight to Spain was canceled. They decided to … Read more
New design unveiled for Sydney Opera House
Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s conductor David Robertson was never impressed with the acoustics of the Sydney Opera House, where his orchestra is based. The sound lacked … Read more
Leonard Bernstein was a great music educator
Today was the birthday of the great conductor, composer and music educator Leonard Bernstein, so we thought we’d take a look at some of his … Read more
Warning to wind musicians after man contracts fatal infection from bagpipes
Medical professionals are cautioning wind players after a man died from an infection spread by mould growing in his bagpipes. The piper had been suffering … Read more
Complete Mahler symphony score to be auctioned for first time
A handwritten score of Gustav Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony has been given a price tag of £3.5 million ahead of an auction in 2016. There has … Read more
New Anna Karenina Musical Is in The Works
Those who loved Tom Stoppard’s movie version of Anna Karenina set within a theater have something to look forward to: a new Anna Karenina musical … Read more
Should Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto be performed on the erhu?
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto is a masterpiece of lyricism with just the right amount of melancholy in the second movement. That’s expected of Tchaikovsky, as he … Read more
Watch centuries of classical music history in three minutes
An entertaining video takes you on a romp through the centuries-long history of classical music in a matter of minutes. Beginning with Hildegard von Bingen, … Read more
John Williams confirms he will score eighth Star Wars film
John Williams, Hollywood’s most decorated film composer, has relieved Star Wars fans by confirming that he will be scoring the soundtrack for the upcoming eighth … Read more
Dirty Dancing UK touring production using recorded backing tracks.
Many of us remember the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing as the ultimate feel-good summer romance, with a dorky female lead falling for her dance instructor … Read more
Another violinist stopped from travelling on plane with instrument
Norwegian Air is another airline to be accused by a musician of denying an instrument passage in the cabin. Ellen Fjærvoll Samdal reported that a … Read more
Remembering the first ever Proms concert
On 10 August 1895, the first in a series of promenade concerts was held at London’s Queen’s Hall. The goal was to offer classical music … Read more