In today’s world, a viral hit spreads in hours. In the late seventeenth century, it could take years or even decades for music to travel. And yet some works achieved a level of popularity that crossed borders, languages, and social

In pop and folk music, songwriters collaborating is standard practice. However, in classical music, credit for a single work usually goes to a single composer. And although it’s true that a lot of classical music has been written by just

From the very beginning, the idea of flight has intrigued composers, whether they’re writing about Icarus or the Wright Brothers. We’ll look at some music inspired by planes – some positive and some less so. George Antheil, who brought a

In a previous article, we looked at how Debussy, Satie and Ravel changed the direction of music, one would say, forever. If they were all contemporaries of each other, and interacting with each other would have directly influenced the development

Francis Poulenc, the enfant terrible of French music, never did anything halfway. When he composed Les mamelles de Tirésias (The Breasts of Tiresias) in 1947, he didn’t merely write an opera. Instead he wrote a cheeky, whirlwind rebellion against societal norms, gender

For many years, Franz Liszt was a bohemian. Unsurprisingly, given his playboy reputation, he never married. However, he did have two long-term relationships that were very much like marriages: one with Countess Marie d’Agoult from the ages of 22 to

As we step into a new year, it’s a time for reflection, celebration, and, of course, great music. Last year, our contributors delved into the lives of composers, the magic of performers, and the timeless power of classical music in

If you’ve ever had a dog, you know firsthand the devotion, affection, and companionship they provide to humans. Turns out, many of the great composers knew the joys of canine companionship, too! Today, we’re looking at the amazing true stories