Today, Franz Schubert is one of the most beloved composers of all time, famous for works like Ave Maria, the Trout Quintet, and his “Unfinished Symphony.” But when Schubert died in 1828 at the age of 31, much of his

Every November, on the third Thursday of the month, humanity takes a collective pause to celebrate something it has been doing since the dawn of time. UNESCO calls it World Philosophy Day, and it recognises the noble art of wondering

Many people, when they’re trying to focus or study, turn to music to help them concentrate. The right music selection can help you by boosting your mood, lowering your stress, and even improving your mental health. What genre is the

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) lived the quintessential life of an urban bachelor. He rejected the restraints and dependence of family life and found sustenance and camaraderie in a close, but ever-changing circle of friends. Perpetually short of money, he lived with

In 1906, just thirteen years after Tchaikovsky’s sudden, shocking death, British musicologist Rosa Newmarch wrote the first full-length biography of the Russian composer. In it, she includes a number of evocative details about his childhood. Today, we’re looking at some

I hate to say it, but classical music still suffers from an image problem; an image crisis, in fact. Despite the best efforts of performers, promoters, venues and music lovers, the art form is perceived by many as elitist and

When one thinks of classical orchestral conducting, a specific image often surfaces. We tend to see a tall, authoritative male figure wielding a baton, commanding an ensemble of dozens in a symphonic ritual. Into this traditionally male-dominated picture, Elim Chan

In 2025, we mark the centenary of the birth of Sir Charles Mackerras, a conductor who seamlessly combined erudition with vitality, and tradition with innovation. Born on 17 November 1925, Mackerras became one of the most dynamic, scholarly, and open-minded