For as long as composers have been writing music, they’ve been inspired by the mystery, mood, and mythology of the night. We’ve gathered ten pieces of classical music about the night that explore themes associated with the hours after dark,
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On This Day
22 December: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony 6 Was Premiered December 22nd, 2023On 22 December 1808, Ludwig van Beethoven invited audiences to a benefit concert at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna. One of the most remarkable events of Beethoven’s career, the concert saw the public premieres of his Fifth and -
What if I Just Settle for “Good Enough”? December 21st, 2023 The pursuit of musical excellence is a journey that many musicians embark upon with a fervent desire to achieve perfection. They strive for flawless performances, impeccable technique, and unwavering precision. As an advanced amateur pianist, these are goals to which -
On This Day
21 December: Michael Tilson Thomas Was Born December 21st, 2023Conductor, pianist, and composer Michael Tilson Thomas has won twelve Grammy Awards and amassed a discography of more than 120 recordings. During his tenure with the San Francisco Symphony, he recorded the complete symphonies of Gustav Mahler and pioneering discs -
Five Most Popular Leonard Bernstein Performances December 20th, 2023 Composer, conductor, pianist, teacher, and all-around American musical legend Leonard Bernstein gave thousands of performances over the course of his career, many of which were broadcast and archived for future generations to enjoy. Bernstein – a boyishly handsome, gregarious force -
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Christmas Carols December 20th, 2023 In a longer take on the traditional carol, English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams made a ‘fantasia’ on three carols from southern England to create an atmospheric work for baritone, chorus, and orchestra. Given its premiere at the Three Choirs Festival -
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19 December: Steven Isserlis Was Born December 19th, 2023British cellist Steven Isserlis, born 19 December 1958 made his breakthrough in 1988 when he asked John Tavener to write a dedicated work for cello and orchestra. Isserlis premiered The Protecting Veil at the BBC Proms and quickly followed up -
How Much Does He/She Love: Too Much!
The 12 Days of Christmas December 19th, 2023In the classic Christmas counting carol, The 12 Days of Christmas, on the 12 days following Christmas, the singer’s ‘true love’ sends him a present each day, plus the present from the day(s) before. The 12 Days of Christmas are -
Classical Music for Christmas
25 Holiday-Inspired Pieces to Celebrate the Season December 18th, 2023The holiday season will soon be upon us, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than with some classical music? In this blog post, we’re exploring 25 pieces of classical music that are perfect for the Christmas