Pipe Organ History at Westminster Abbey
Pipe organs have been part of the majestic history of Westminster Abbey for hundreds of years. The current organ, made by the organ builders of … Read more
CLASSICAL
6 Signs You Have What it Takes to Become a Professional Musician
If you ask a professional musician what their career is like, they will more often than not explain that their job is much more demanding … Read more
Seven Reasons Why You Should Date a Classical Musician
The contemporary dating scene might, at times, resemble TS Eliot’s wasteland or, worse, a post-apocalyptic landscape punctuated by primeval beings who shy away from light. Apps like … Read more
Wine, Women and Music: Six interesting facts about the Waltz
Whether you agree with Graf, or simply enjoy twirling or, like Wagner, you have the deepest admiration for Johann Strauss II’s Wein, Weib und Gesang, … Read more
“The last Romantic Composer:” seven interesting Facts about Rachmaninoff
Described as a “six and a half foot scowl” by Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff (born April 1st, 1873) rose to fame at age 18 with … Read more
The Great Piano Scam | Joyce Hatto Documentary
Many scandalous stories have rattled the world of classical music over and the ‘Great Piano Scam’ is perhaps one of the most interesting. The celebrated … Read more
Bösendorfer: the Story of Vienna’s Imperial Piano
Bösendorfer is the name of a company in Vienna, Austria, that has been manufacturing pianos since the early 19th century. Each piano is carefully handcrafted … Read more
Medieval Tritone Superstitions Proved Popular in 19th-Century Music
Out of all the musical intervals, the one that has been steeped in ominous superstitions since the Middle Ages is the tritone. This augmented fourth … Read more
10 Composers with a Criminal History
The first is that the vast majority of famous composers who committed crimes almost certainly got away with it. Until the mid-19th century, the criminal … Read more
Six Questions You Shouldn’t Ask An Opera Singer
Opera singers, like anyone doing a job in the public eye, get asked a lot of questions. Audience members and fans are keen to find … Read more
10 of the Most Famous Violin Labels
From its emergence in the 16th century, the violin has played a leading role in classical music. As well as providing us with some of … Read more
Six Most Interesting Facts About Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
In early 18th century Venice there lived a self-assured red-haired priest named Antonio Lucio Vivaldi. Traveling with an entourage that nearly always included his elderly … Read more
10 Creative Gift Ideas Inspired by Music
Whatever we do, music inspires each of us in some manner. This is no different for the designers who create the products we love. Some of … Read more
8 World’s Largest Musical Instruments Ever Made
Although it’s unlikely you’ll come across many of these instruments in a symphony orchestra any time soon, they all are top of the list if … Read more
Who Gets Paid The Most In An Orchestra?
Pay in almost any profession can be a thorny issue, but how do you find a suitable financial remuneration for the world’s top classical musicians? … Read more