History is full of talented women whose achievements have been overshadowed or forgotten. But few stories are as remarkable as that of Maria Antonia, Electress of Saxony, and her granddaughter Princess Amalie – two women composers who flourished at the

For many artists, being an artist is not merely a profession. It is an essential part of their identity. A musician does not necessarily stop thinking of themselves as a musician when they leave the concert platform; a painter remains

It’s well known that Johann Sebastian Bach had 20 children. Several of his sons became accomplished composers in their own right. But what about the next generation? Wilhelm Friedrich Ernst Bach (1759–1845) was the grandson of Johann Sebastian – and

At the age of only 20, Henry Purcell composed a collection of ensemble pieces titled Fantazias. They represent, according to Mark Steinberg, the “final hurrah for consort music, ensembles no longer fashionable at the time of these works.” Written during

The exceptional French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard is frequently described as a brilliant musician and an extraordinary visionary. And while he is a celebrated interpreter of the standard repertoire, he is also a key figure in contemporary music. Aimard entered the

In Part 1 of this series, we looked at four composers who lived and worked with significant disabilities. Here are four more – spanning three centuries and five countries, with disabilities ranging from chronic pain to hearing loss to impacts

Some of the most celebrated composers in classical music history lived and worked with significant disabilities. From physical injuries to chronic illness to mental health struggles, these composers created enduring work under circumstances that would have ended many careers. Here

For today’s brain teaser, let’s turn to Antonín Dvořák. What opera of his features a happy ending but is entirely missing the traditional love interest? The answer is The Devil and Kate, a comic opera to a libretto by Adolf