How the 1812 Overture Became Part of the Fourth of July Celebration
One of the most popular pieces of classical music for the Fourth of July fireworks is Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Its full name: 1812 Festival Overture, … Read more
CLASSICAL
Listen to Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth’s ‘Game of Thrones’ vocal warmup
Are you physically and mentally preparing to enjoy the epic Game of Thrones season 6 finale, titled “The Winds of Winter” (but where is the … Read more
New York Philharmonic archives contain over 170 years of music history
The New York Philharmonic has developed a digital archive covering its 174-year history, allowing researchers to view data and other information about the approximately 16,000 … Read more
Here are six awesome and controversial facts on Stravinsky, the greatest composer of the 20th century
Where Literature had James Joyce and the art world had Picasso, music had the genius of Igor Stravinsky. Even though it would be easy to … Read more
Watch 14-year-old Joshua Bell Tackling Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto
During a masterclass with Joseph Gingold in 1982, a teenage Joshua Bell (sporting a bowl cut) makes his way through the third movement of Tchaikovsky’s … Read more
How do you compare with the salaries of the great composers?
Many of the best known classical composers enjoyed very different financial fortunes during their careers. Based on the incomes of eleven great composers, this infographic … Read more
How a Children’s Song Achieved Classical Music Success
Children’s songs and folk music are often handed down through an oral tradition. They seem to spring up without any specific composer yet survive numerous … Read more
Leonard Bernstein conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in an exceptional archive
In 1966, Leonard Bernstein and the London Symphony Orchestra gave a sensational performance of Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” for BBC Television. The venue was the … Read more
Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli shows what a truly incredible voice is capable of doing
The Italian mezzo-soprano, Cecilia Bartoli sings with a technique that few singers have or can hope to have. She executes coloratura runs with such a strength … Read more
Is Tchaikovsky an underrated composer?
In fact, he has been tied to the cliché of emotionalism and easy accessibility and his inventiveness never got the recognition it deserved. Sure, his … Read more
Harry Potter film to screen with live orchestra at Hollywood Bowl
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the first in the eight-part series adapted from J.K. Rowling’s famous books, will screen at the Hollywood Bowl this … Read more
A Guadagnini cello sold for a record-breaking $1.5 million
One of the 40 remaining cellos from 18th-century violin maker Giovanni Guadagnini was sold for a record-breaking price of $1.5 million at the auction. The … Read more
Watch this rare footage of Gershwin playing his own ‘I got Rhythm’
It is hard to imagine a world without the music of George Gershwin. He was first introduced to music when he attended his friend’s violin … Read more
Here’s proof that Euphonium is the most fun instrument to play. This is very impressive
Steven Mead is an English virtuoso euphonium soloist and teacher who has played an important role in achieving worldwide recognition of the instrument. His concerts … Read more
Violinist Itzhak Perlman cancels North Carolina performance over discriminatory law
World-famous violinist Itzhak Perlman announced on Facebook earlier this month he was cancelling an appearance with the North Carolina Symphony over a discriminatory law passed … Read more