In 2025, political activism within the classical music community has intensified, largely driven by ongoing global conflicts, particularly Israel’s actions in Gaza and Russia’s war in Ukraine. Musicians, conductors, and institutions are increasingly using their platforms to advocate for ceasefires,

Pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin wrote four Ballades for solo piano: Ballade No. 1 in G-minor, Op. 23 (written in 1835, when he was twenty-five) Ballade No. 2 in F-major, Op. 38 (written between 1836-39, when he was in his

A critic once likened the 5 Piano Concertos by Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) to a perfectly tailored French suit, “impeccably stylish, never trying too hard.” What a wonderful way of describing the virtuosic flair, structural innovation, and the distinctly French sensibility

Etelka Freund is a singular figure in classical music history. As a talented teenager, she befriended and bewitched Brahms. She became Busoni’s best student. Her brother studied with Liszt, then taught her. Then, as a young woman, she befriended up-and-coming

She may be obscure today, but Eunice Norton was one of the most fascinating pianists of the 1920s and 1930s: a woman who came from the American Midwest, who made an innovative and international career for herself. Today, we’re looking

The marvellous German violist Tabea Zimmermann has spent over four decades redefining the role of the viola, transforming the instrument from an orchestral workhorse into a solo instrument of profound expressive power. Her name is synonymous with virtuosity and innovation

Johannes Brahms had famously difficult romantic relationships with women. He had a penchant for idealising women, as well as sabotaging his romantic relationships with them once he got close to proposing. In the first part of this article, we met

Yo-Yo Ma, the world-renowned cellist, is not only a virtuoso of his instrument but also a trailblazer in the realm of musical and cultural collaboration. His career, spanning over six decades, is a testament to his ability to transcend traditional