The flute is one of the great instruments used in cultures throughout the world. Western audiences know the instrument best in traditional classical music. However, primitive flutes have been discovered as old as 40,000 years old! Although this is an old instrument, many incredible musicians are performing this instrument today. Some of these musicians are […]
This is one for the ages, a truly incredible story. Watch as Leonard Bernstein, on national television, present a 7-year-old Yo-Yo Ma and his sister to JFK. Other people who were at this historic event included Pablo Casals, Van Cliburn, and Jackie Onassis.Read More
Music for 18 Musicians is perhaps Steve Reich’s most popular, if not most important, piece of music. Composed between the ages of 38-40, Music for 18 Musicians premiered at New York City’s Town Hall on April 24th, 1976, nearly five decades ago. In 1978, the first recording of the work was released on ECM Records, […]Read More
Cello just may be the mightiest instrument in classical music; with its booming bass, silky middle register, and achingly beautiful high notes, this is an instrument equally adept to the solo repertoire as it is performing in an orchestra. Many have wielded this fine instrument, performing it throughout the world’s finest concert halls. However, who […]Read More
Beethoven’s nine symphonies are staples of the classical music canon. The mere genre of the symphony is, near unquestionably, eternally associated with the composer himself. The greatness these magisterial works exude is unquestioned. Yet, when discussing symphonies, even the most remarkable orchestral composer himself did not write nine equal symphonies: instead, some of his works […]Read More
Classical music is fraught with myths and misconceptions. Some, like the one referenced in the title, are just plain silly and obvious in their origin; of course it was Beethoven who was deaf. However, neither Beethoven or Mozart were blind… Other myths, however, have been imprinted into the lexicon of popular belief through movies, word-of-mouth, […]Read More
Perhaps the most popular genre of classical music within the last century, minimalist music is defined by repetitive melodies, simple harmonies, and accessible rhythms. What makes minimalism so fascinating is its artistic reach; both audiences in and out of classical music have deemed composers in this genre among the canon of contemporary classical music greatness. […]Read More
Did YOU know Appalachian Spring won the Pulitzer Prize? Many of our country’s most lauded composers were awarded the Pulitzer Prize: Barber, Copland, Corigliano, Reich, and Adams are just some of the names who have taken home America’s most iconic prize. Taking a look at the list of winners is a who’s who of contemporary […]Read More
Classical music is frequently associated with the most basic of human emotions: Joy, sadness, excitement… Passion, anger, love… And, darkness. What is it about classical music that can evoke the mystical, wonderful and…dark? Well, it comes down to many things. First off, the composer’s intentions are important. Musical texture, harmony, melody, orchestration, tempo… And of […]Read More
Love classical music stories? We do too. Here is a heartwarming, semi-unbelievable story from classical music history to start your day. When a Little Girl Gifted an Octopus to a String Quartet At the height of their fame, no string quartet was more important than the Cleveland Quartet. Originally composed of four now-legendary string musicians, […]Read More
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