Born on 5 September 1960 in Somero, Finland, Karita Mattila’s journey from a small-town upbringing to the grand stages of the world’s most prestigious opera houses is a testament to her extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication. Her luminous voice and

Frédéric Chopin’s music – famously melancholy, strikingly improvisatory, deeply Polish – is unique among the output of the great canonised composers. How did he develop such a special, creative voice? The answer is composer, conductor, and teacher Józef Elsner, who

In a new recording by SOMM Records, British clarinettist Peter Cigleris takes on four clarinet concertos, from Hungary, Britain, the US, and Japan, to bring us a world of new works for the clarinet. One should probably beware of any

Tchaikovsky is often thought of as one of the most romantic of the Romantic Era composers, famous for his dramatic overtures and symphonies. However, he didn’t have a conventional romantic life. He was a gay man. His brother and confidant

The French composer Darius Milhaud, born on 4 September 1892 in Marseilles, was associated with the avant-garde Les Six of the 1920s. He was a pioneer in the use of percussion, polytonality, jazz, and aleatory techniques, with his music reflecting

It’s time for a thrilling celebration that’ll have you gazing skyward with awe! September 3 is Skyscraper Day, a special day to celebrate those towering giants of architecture that pierce the clouds and transform the cityscape into breathtaking works of

The virtuoso French cellist Gautier Capuçon, born on 3 September 1981 in Chambéry, France, has captivated audiences worldwide with his electrifying performances and profound musicality. From his early days studying at the Paris Conservatoire, Capuçon’s prodigious talent was evident, earning

Maria Curcio could easily have been one of the most famous pianists of the twentieth century. So why do only a handful of classical music lovers know her name today? What kept her from the solo career she seems to