Most people think of classical music as being very serious. But in reality, classical music is often bizarre, sarcastic, or just plain weird. Today, we’re looking at eight compositions with particularly weird titles, from Mozart’s cheeky “Leck mir den Arsch”

Alma Rosé, a top-class artist – violinist, conductor, ensemble leader and actress, is most remembered today for her amazing courage. She was the conductor and founder of the celebrated women’s orchestra Wiener Walzermädeln–but she is primarily remembered as the conductor of

Although Iveta Apkalna is one of Europe’s most celebrated organists, she has never held a traditional church post. Instead, her titular position at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, a concert hall rather than a house of worship, reflects a path that

Radu Lupu’s rise to international stardom was not the result of one lucky break. It was built on a sequence of landmark competition wins that marked him out very early as an exceptional talent. In a remarkably short span, Lupu

Giacomo Puccini, celebrated worldwide for operas such as La Bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly, remains primarily associated with tragic, emotionally intense narratives that exemplify the verismo tradition. Yet, among his lesser-known works lies La Rondine (The Swallow), a curious and fascinating departure from both his

Sergei Prokofiev, the Russian composer whose innovative and vibrant works revolutionised 20th-century music, holds a special place in the hearts of classical music enthusiasts. Known for his bold harmonies, rhythmic vitality, and a unique blend of lyricism and irony, Prokofiev’s

British composer Christopher Gunning (1944–2023) wrote concert music but is probably most widely known for his music for films and television. But, at the same time, do we really look out for the names of the composers of film and

It is always fascinating to look at the dedication page of a music score: who a composer dedicates his or her music to, and what it says about the composer, society, and the dedicatees. Today, we’re looking at seven of