Know Your Composer
Beethoven supposedly cut the legs from his piano so he could feel its vibrations through the floor. The story is irresistible—but did it actually happen, or has history turned a practical detail into legend?
Features
Dolly Parton was far more than a country music legend. Behind the rhinestones and larger-than-life persona was an extraordinary songwriter, cultural icon and philanthropist whose sincerity, generosity and understanding of people made her unforgettable.
Features
A personal remembrance of violin pedagogue Henryk Kowalski, whose 1985 concert in Goa led to an unexpected hotel-room lesson and left a lasting impression on a young violinist seeking guidance and inspiration.
Features
Fifty years on, ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” remains one of pop’s most recognisable songs. Beneath its glittering surface lies a masterclass in rhythm, melody, harmony, arrangement and production, revealing why this disco classic continues to captivate audiences.
Music Education
From Beethoven’s Fifth to Pachelbel’s Canon, classical music is everywhere. These ten famous pieces have appeared in films, advertisements, weddings and television so often that you probably know the melodies without knowing their names.
Know Your Composer
Aaron Copland transformed American musical identity through spacious harmonies, open intervals, jazz-inflected rhythms and transparent orchestration. From 'Appalachian Spring' to 'Rodeo' and 'Fanfare for the Common Man', his music made simplicity remarkably powerful.
News
Kannada composer and music educator Sai Somesh joins ABRSM’s composer mentoring programme, bringing his experience in film, music production and education to an initiative seeking to diversify the repertoire available to young musicians worldwide.
Rumours once claimed that violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini had sold his soul to the Devil. In reality, his astonishing technique, dramatic stage presence and carefully cultivated mystique created one of music history’s most enduring legends.
Drawing on over two decades across the US, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, Cindy Hwang reflects on cultural leadership, audience connection, and how thoughtful programming can shape the future of classical music worldwide.
Piano-born yet guitar-haunted, Granados’s 'Danzas españolas' find new life in a complete duo transcription by Eugenio Della Chiara and Pietro Locatto. They discuss tradition, tuning, colour, and the intimacy of playing as one.
On the first death anniversary of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, the members of Shakti reunite to honour his legacy. Through memories, music and a shared history of innovation, they recount the extraordinary journey that shaped Indo-jazz fusion.
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Composer Stephen Michael Gryč discusses 'Virtuosity', his lifelong fascination with instruments, the performers who shape his concertos, and why melody remains central to his distinctive, tonal yet unmistakably contemporary musical language.
The Symphony Orchestra of India marks its 20th anniversary with an ambitious Autumn 2026 Season, featuring four symphonic concerts, two chamber recitals, international debuts and works by Beethoven, Mozart, Elgar, Wagner and Tchaikovsky.
The 33rd edition of Verbier Festival recently concluded in Switzerland. Simon Broughton was there for the last four days and sends this report.
Oxford's Schwarzman Centre marks Steve Reich's 90th birthday with Steve Reich in Focus, featuring the world premiere of the immersive Phase | Pattern | Pulse installation and a special performance of Different Trains by the Ligeti Quartet.
Discover how classical music enhances your travel memories, creating lasting impressions and emotional connections that shape your adventures in unexpected ways.
Why can a piece of music make the hairs on your arms stand up? Discover the science behind musical chills, or frisson, and explore how composers including Bach, Mahler, Rachmaninov and Puccini create unforgettable emotional moments.
Confused by words like legato, cadenza, or opus? This straightforward guide explains 25 essential classical music terms in plain English, helping you understand concert programmes, recordings, and discussions with greater confidence and enjoyment.
Antonio Vivaldi was one of the most celebrated composers of his lifetime, yet much of his music disappeared from view after his death. This is the remarkable story of how the Baroque master was rediscovered centuries later.
Group music lessons offer far more than technical instruction. They build confidence, encourage collaboration, strengthen listening skills and create a supportive environment where musicians of all ages can learn, perform and grow together.
Composer Karl Blench and cellist Patrick Moore discuss ‘Open Source’, a powerful collaboration exploring belonging, sanctuary, and inclusion through contemporary chamber music, and how storytelling, community, and artistic partnership shaped one of their most meaningful projects.
Few Indian composers have ventured into the symphonic tradition. With 'New Beginnings', Lydian Nadhaswaram enters that lineage. Vishwas Gaitonde examines the work, its origins and the vision behind its creation.
Artificial intelligence is transforming classical music composition, helping composers generate ideas, complete unfinished masterpieces and rethink creativity itself. Discover how AI is shaping the future of classical music while complementing, rather than replacing, human artistry.