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

The new recording on SOMM of two selections from David Matthews’ opera Anna is a welcome addition to modern symphonic repertoire. The opera, which was given in a concert performance at The Grange Hampshire, in July 2023, would have only

The double bass is often thought of as the foundation of the orchestra: deep, resonant, and usually playing a supportive role. In music as in architecture, foundations rarely find themselves in the spotlight. But over the centuries, a handful of

There are times when you just want sound to remove other sounds – most often when you’re in the dentist’s chair, and that high-pitched sound for cleaning your teeth is going to start. It sets your teeth on edge, but

On 24 January, we mark the birth of one of the most remarkable figures of the German Romantic era. Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann (1776–1822), better known by his pen name, E.T.A. Hoffmann is known as the master of the fantastic

In the world of music, chords are more than just a collection of notes; they are the colors with which a composer paints emotion. Most people learn early that Major sounds “happy” and Minor sounds “sad.” While this simple heuristic

Joseph Haydn, often hailed as the “Father of the Symphony” and the “Father of the String Quartet,” is a towering figure in the history of Western classical music. His wit, structural ingenuity, and expressive depth have captivated audiences for centuries.