A Bach Toccata and Fugue as Halloween Music
One of the most famous pieces of music associated with Halloween and horror films is Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 by J. … Read more
Cynthia Collins
The Salzburg Festival Presents Opera for Children
Among the many performances at the 2015 Salzburg Festival is a new production of Gioachino Rossini’s comic opera, The Barber of Seville. This version has … Read more
Sigmund Romberg: Beloved Composer of Operettas
Sigmund Romberg was a prolific composer of the early 20th century whose romantic operettas touched the hearts of many. He is best known for The … Read more
The Salzburg Festival and World War II
When the Salzburg Festival ended its first decade in the 1920s, it had grown to an established international tradition of music and theater arts for … Read more
The Early History of the Salzburg Festival
The annual summer festival attracts visitors from around the world to Salzburg, Austria, showcasing the city’s rich artistic heritage. Concert halls, churches, palaces, theaters, and … Read more
In Memory of McNeil Robinson: Organist and Composer
The world of organ and sacred choral music is richer because of the work of the internationally known organist and composer, McNeil Robinson (1943-2015). His … Read more
Leroy Anderson: Composer of Light Concert Music
The American composer, Leroy Anderson, is known for his light-hearted, often humorous, music for symphony orchestras. The Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Arthur … Read more
Composer Bernard Herrmann and His Influence on Motion Picture Scores
Bernard Herrmann is best known for composing motion picture scores for more than 30 years, starting in 1941 during Hollywood’s Golden Age until his death … Read more
The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps Preserves Colonial Music and History
Fife and drum corps ensembles are familiar sights during the Fourth of July celebrations and other patriotic special events. These small groups of military musicians … Read more
Who Wrote the Music for ‘God Save The Queen’ and ‘America’?
The national anthem for the United Kingdom, God Save The Queen (King), and the patriotic song, America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee), are set to … Read more
Aram Khachaturian and His Famous ‘Sabre Dance’
One of the most famous symphonic works written in the 20th century is the Sabre Dance by Soviet-Armenian composer, Aram Khachaturian. This fiery, energetic dance … Read more
Scott Joplin: Composer, Pianist, and King of Ragtime
The African-American composer and pianist, Scott Joplin (1867/68-1917), is America’s preeminent ragtime composer. He did not create the genre but raised it from the dance … Read more
John Williams: Composing Memorable Soundtracks for Memorable Movies
John Williams is well-known for soundtracks that are as memorable as the movies for which they were written. He is also respected as a conductor … Read more
John Cage 4’33” Music or Silence?
When composer John Cage wrote 4’33” (Four minutes, thirty-three seconds), it would become his most famous and controversial piece. The audience at the world premiere … Read more
Music Notation before Finale: how scores were prepared in the past
The art of writing music, of actually placing the notes and related markings on paper, has changed dramatically over the centuries. Computer programs invented since … Read more