Described as a rare phenomenon in 1878 by the Neue Berliner Zeitung, composer Emilie Mayer (1812-1883) was dubbed the “Female Beethoven” and became one of the most prolific female composers of the 19th century. Hailing from Friedland, Germany, she composed

Lucille Dixon Robertson broke barriers as a powerhouse double bassist in both jazz and classical music. Born in Harlem to a Baptist minister, she started on piano before picking up the bass in high school. Shut out of symphony jobs

It is well-known that Mozart was one of the most important influences on the music of Tchaikovsky. Of him, Tchaikovsky used to say that he was the highest, the culminating point that beauty has attained in the sphere of music. The

The name Frederick Delius (1862-1934) conjures misty landscapes, long-breathed melodies, and music that gently drifts rather than argues. He is usually associated with orchestral tone poems, such as On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring or Brigg Fair. Frederick Delius is not

Frédéric Chopin is one of the most beloved composers in history, and judging by Google searches, the Internet has lots of questions about him. Was he Polish or French? What did he actually look like? Did he ever marry George

Reynaldo Hahn (1874–1947) is widely known for his French mélodies, beautiful art songs that capture emotion with elegance and subtlety. Yet Hahn’s piano music, though less famous, is equally revealing of his artistry. Across solo pieces, cycles, waltzes, and sonatinas, Hahn

Nowadays, when we think of Maurice Ravel, we usually picture the elegance of Boléro, not the mud and chaos of the Western Front. But World War I had a major impact on Maurice Ravel’s life and music. The Franco-Prussian War,

On 27 January, we celebrate the birthday of Édouard Lalo, a French composer who may not enjoy the instant name recognition of Saint-Saëns or Fauré, but whose music leaves a lasting impression once you encounter it. Lalo had a gift