Even the greatest classical musicians – those renowned the world over for their superhuman discipline and focus – have moments when everything just goes blank. In an era when memorisation is seen as a prerequisite for performing, memory lapses have

Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888) was one of the most celebrated pianists of the nineteenth century. It was said that he played faster than Liszt and louder than Chopin. In addition, he was also a highly original composer comparable to Hector Berlioz.

They’re the only member of the orchestra who stands with their back to the audience; nonetheless, every member of the orchestra keeps an eye on them…just in case. It’s the conductor, of course. The English historian Charles Burney quotes Jean-Jacques

Before modern concert halls and subscription series, classical music performances in Europe mostly took place behind closed doors at courts, in churches, or in private salons. But by the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a new idea began to take shape:

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) had a rather limited involvement with opera. However, he did complete three one-act operas between 1892 and 1905. Aleko was written as a graduation piece at the Moscow Conservatory in 1892, and it earned him high honours

In the first part of this article, we considered the vastly different experiences associated with classical concerts and concerts of other genres. We saw that “common sense” reasons for concert etiquette can veil much more intricate and meaningful matters, and

Did you know there is an amazing one-of-a-kind museum in Shanghai, China? The museum, located in Hongkou, is the historical site where European Jews took refuge during World War II. The exhibits highlight the Jewish refugee experience as well as

Everyone loves a great comeback story, and classical music is full of them. Some of today’s most beloved symphonies and ballets were disasters at their premieres. Critics have hissed; audiences have walked out; and even fellow musicians have tossed around