Throughout classical music history, ostensibly professional relationships between teachers and students have sometimes turned romantic. Some of the resulting marriages ended up being loving, long-lasting partnerships built on deep mutual admiration and respect. Others curdled rapidly due to destructive power

In music, the term potpourri refers to a composition constructed from a succession of pre-existing melodies, often drawn from operas, popular songs, or well-known dances. Like its culinary namesake, a fragrant mixture of diverse elements, the musical potpourri brings together

In the 1930s, Peter Burra was a rising star in British letters. But his death at the age of twenty-seven in an airplane crash brought those hopes to a sudden, violent end. Though Burra’s life was cut tragically short, his

For generations, classical music composers have poured the emotional fallouts from their romantic lives into their music, creating some of the most emotional works in the repertoire. Today, we’re looking at seven of the saddest classical music pieces inspired by

When it comes to classical music generally and violin concertos specifically, some pieces take their time to grab your attention. Others, however, seize you instantly. Today, we’re looking at examples of the latter: works that offer something especially fresh or

Every December, churches and concert halls the world over present programs of classical music associated with Christmas. Today, we’re wondering: what is the most Christmas-y piece ever written by each of the great composers? In this list, we look at

If one thinks of Christmas music, it often is from the 1940s-50s movie soundtracks which have now become festive classics, or through the many pop standards that have made the cut, and delight — or not — our ears each