The Enigmatic Life of Charles-Valentin Alkan
Alkan was, according to many accounts, not only a virtuoso pianist but a warm, if slightly shy, individual. It was through Alkan’s professor at the … Read more
Dr Justin Wildridge
The Importance of Music Education in Schools
Coming from the standpoint of a seasoned teacher with over thirty years at the chalk face, I passionately believe in the importance of music education … Read more
Exploring Minimalism in Classical Composition
Minimalism grew organically out of a reaction to the Western creative cultures that dominated the landscape of late 1950s America. Since then, its popularity and … Read more
The Role of Patronage in Shaping the Music of the Baroque Era
Unlike today, where composers can receive or pitch for commissions from individuals, companies, or foundations, the options for funding during the Baroque Era were considerably … Read more
The Legacy of Tchaikovsky’s Ballets
It is challenging to know whether Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is better known these days for his symphonic works or his ballets. Perhaps it is his … Read more
The Role of Music in Film and Television
When the world of the moving picture arrived in the early part of the 20th century, it was a revolution. What is often referred to … Read more
Operatic Scandals: Controversies and Censorship in 19th-Century Opera
At the very tail end of the 19th Century arrives one of the most discussed and criticized operas. Richard Strauss’s Salomé (Op.54) is a setting … Read more
4 Types of Counterpoint in Classical Music
Before plunging headlong into the details of this title, let’s just take a moment to appreciate what is meant when the word counterpoint is used … Read more
A Comparison of Live Music vs. Recorded Music Experiences
For tens of thousands of people, going to a gig or concert is a passion. For others, the very idea of standing in a crowd … Read more
The Role of Music in Ancient Greek Tragedies
When we look back in time to an era so distant as the Ancient Greeks, we can have a large degree of speculation and educated … Read more
The Influence of Nature in the Compositions of Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was a composer who, like many of his contemporaries, drew deep inspiration from his natural environment. His passion for his home country … Read more
The Romanticism in Beethoven’s Music
Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most celebrated classical composers to ever have lived. His life and his music continue to attract authors who … Read more
The Evolution of Opera in 20th-Century America
Arriving with any certainty at historical facts can prove to be a slippery quest. The earliest accounts of opera being performed in America date back … Read more
Classical Music and Virtual Reality
Despite what you may feel about technology and its advancements, the idea of an immersive experience using VR in the world of classical music is … Read more
A Crossover Between Early Electronic Music and Classical
Experiments with electronics stretch back further in time than you might first imagine. Natural human curiosity coupled with the desire to create something unheard of … Read more