DescriptionHow did the Saxophone come to be? Take a minute to get the scoop!Fun Fact"Rhapsody for Saxophone" by Claude Debussy is one of the most iconic pieces for saxophone. Composed in 1919, it showcases the instrument's versatility and expressive range. With its lush melodies and rich harmonies, the piece captivates listeners with its romantic and evocative qualities. Debussy's masterful writing for the saxophone has solidified its place as a classic in the repertoire._____________________...

DescriptionSiegfried Wagner, son of Richard Wagner, had to overcome many obstacles in his life. Take a minute to get the scoop!Fun FactSiegfried Wagner's most famous piece is likely his opera "Der Bärenhäuter" (The Bearskin), based on a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Premiered in 1899, it showcases his romantic style with lush orchestrations and Wagnerian influences, though often overshadowed by his father's works.__________________________________________________________________About Steven, Hos...

DescriptionPaganini was an Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer renowned for his virtuosic skills and innovative compositions. Take a minute to get the scoop!Fun FactPaganini's "Caprice No. 1" for solo violin is a dazzling display of virtuosity, composed in 1805. Its intricate arpeggios, rapid scales, and double stops push the limits of violin technique. Despite its technical demands, it captivates listeners with its lyrical beauty and remains a cornerstone of the violin repert...

Description Mozart, the legendary composer, was a fascinating figure with a multitude of odd traits. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, composed in 1784, showcases his mastery of melody and form. Its buoyant and elegant character, coupled with intricate piano passages, captivates listeners. The concerto's rich interplay between soloist and orchestra reflects Mozart's unparalleled ability to balance virtuosity with emotional...

Description How did Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” come to be? Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact "The Rite of Spring," composed by Igor Stravinsky, had its notorious premiere on May 29, 1913, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, France. The ballet was choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky and produced by Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. The premiere caused a sensation, with its avant-garde music and controversial choreography leading to a riot among the audience. Despite the...

Recently, I chatted with author Sophia Lambton about her book, "The Callas Imprint: A Centennial Biography". If you are a fan of Callas, which I am, this book offers you a deep dive into her life, born from extensive research, debunking popular theories and offering an authentic portrayal. Twelve years in the making "The Callas Imprint" reaps never-before-seen correspondence and archival documents worldwide—closing in on the self-contradictions of Callas, her attitudes and habits with...

Description What were the origins of the sliding trombone? Take a minute to get the scoop! Listen to "The Blue Bells of Scotland" by Arthur Pryor c/o YouTube Fun Fact One of the most famous and iconic pieces for the trombone, often featuring the sliding trombone (also known as the tenor trombone), is "The Blue Bells of Scotland" by Arthur Pryor. This piece is a virtuosic solo originally composed for trombone and piano, showcasing the technical capabilities and lyrical qualities of the...

Description Recently released, an extraordinary film entitled, "Maestro," about the cultural icon Leonard Bernstein. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was a renowned American composer, conductor, and pianist, famed for his versatility and influence in classical music. He conducted the New York Philharmonic, composed iconic works like "West Side Story," and educated audiences through his engaging television lectures. His legacy endures as a towering figure...

Description What is the story of the harp? Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact One of the most renowned harp pieces is Claude Debussy's "Danses sacrée et profane." Composed in 1904, it seamlessly blends sacred and profane themes, showcasing the harp's ethereal qualities. Its evocative melodies and lush harmonies captivate audiences, making it a staple of the harp repertoire worldwide. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a...

Description Why is the French Horn so difficult to play? Take a minute to get the scoop! Listen to: Elgar - Cello Concerto - Sheku Kanneh-Mason [BBC Proms 2019] Fun Fact Mozart's horn concertos are some of the most famous and beloved pieces in the horn repertoire, and they are frequently performed by horn players around the world. For instance, his Horn Concerto No. 1 in D major, K. 412/514, is a delightful classical composition from 1782. It's a playful piece with three movements: an...

Description Ninety Years ago Sir Edward Elgar passed away. Throughout his life he was plagued by illness. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact The last major work composed by Sir Edward Elgar was his Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85. Elgar completed the concerto in 1919, and it was premiered in London in 1919 by the cellist Felix Salmond. The concerto is known for its emotional depth and expressive melodies, and it has become one of the most popular and frequently performed cello...

Description Did you know that Charlie Chaplin was not only an actor but composer as well? Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Chaplin was awarded three Oscars. At the very first Academy Awards, in 1929, he was given a special statue for The Circus, and in 1972, 20 years after his exile from the US amid dubious claims he was a communist, he returned to receive an honorary Oscar and a 12-minute standing ovation. But the only Oscar he won as a nominee was for Limelight in 1973 – for best...

Description I would like to dedicate this episode to Seiji Ozawa, who passed away at the age of 88 on February 6th, 2024. Fun Fact After graduating from the Seijo Junior High School in 1950, Ozawa broke two fingers in a rugby game. Hideo Saito, his teacher at the Toho Gakuen School of Music, brought him to a performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, ultimately shifting his musical focus from piano performance to conducting....

Description La bohème in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Giacomo Puccini's opera "La Bohème," premiered in 1896, derives from Henri Murger's novel "Scènes de la vie de bohème." It portrays the lives of struggling young artists in 19th-century Paris. Puccini's emotive score and Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica's libretto capture the essence of love, poverty, and artistic pursuits. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven,...

Description The Marriage of Figaro in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact "The Marriage of Figaro," composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, premiered in 1786 as a comic opera. Based on a play by Pierre Beaumarchais, it explores complex relationships, love, and class struggles. Mozart's masterful music and Lorenzo Da Ponte's libretto create a timeless masterpiece that remains a cornerstone of operatic...

Description A Brief History of the Piano. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's love for the piano began in early childhood under the guidance of his father, Leopold Mozart, who recognized his son's prodigious talent. At the age of three, Mozart showed an innate affinity for the instrument, demonstrating remarkable dexterity and an exceptional ear for melody. His fascination with the piano deepened as he grew, leading him to become a virtuoso performer and a...

Description A Brief History of the Concerto. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Renowned for his innovative approach, Vivaldi crafted hundreds of concertos, particularly for the violin. His pioneering use of ritornello structure, a recurring thematic passage shared between soloist and orchestra, became a hallmark of the Baroque concerto. Vivaldi's exploration of virtuosic solo passages showcased technical prowess and expressive depth, influencing the evolution of the solo concerto....

Description The Baroque Era in 60 seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Handel, a Baroque maestro, personifies the era's grandeur through his majestic compositions. His music, like the famous "Messiah," showcases elaborate ornamentation, dramatic dynamics, and emotional intensity. Handel's works epitomize Baroque extravagance, employing intricate counterpoint and lavish orchestration, making him a quintessential figure of this ornate musical...

Description Ever wondered where the Metronome came from? Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Mass manufacturing of clockwork metronomes made the devices increasingly cost effective and accessible, so that the periodical Music declared in 1897 that “A METRONOME SHOULD BE ON EVERY PIANO.” This push for the metronome stood in stark contrast to many composers’ attitude and aesthetic, with Brahms saying, “good friends have talked me into putting [metronome marks] there, for I myself have...

Description Joseph Haydn's The Creation was inspired by Handel's Messiah and Milton’s Paradise Lost. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact The first of the oratorio’s three parts begins with “Representation of Chaos,” an orchestral prelude that uses stark chords and shifting harmonies to portray the formlessness and disorder that preceded the Creation. The six days of creation occupy the remainder of the first and all of the second part, with each day introduced in recitative by the...

Description Bach’s Christmas Oratorio was a huge hit at the time. But did you know that most of it was cobbled together from previous writings? Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact The Christmas Oratorio is in six parts, each of them being intended for performance on one of the major feast days of the Christmas period. The first part - for Christmas Day - describes the Birth of Jesus, the second - for 26 December - the annunciation to the shepherds, the third - 27 December - the...

Description ‘Tis the season for some great music, including Handel’s Messiah! What were the origins of this fantastic work? Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Handel composed Messiah in just 24 days without getting much sleep and or eating much food. While writing the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus Handel’s servant discovered him with tears in his eyes, and he exclaimed, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of...

Description Have you heard of the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, one of the first classical composers of African heritage to attain widespread acclaim in European music? Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact In early 1776, the financially troubled Paris Opéra considered Chevalier de Saint-Georges as its new director. Despite his merit as the creator of the first disciplined French orchestra, opposition led to Antoine Dauvergne being appointed instead. It is likely this was fuelled by racial...

Description Did you know that Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, was truly passionate about the harp? Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact When Marie Antoinette arrived in Paris in 1770, the harp was already a relatively widespread instrument in Paris. However, her unwavering passion for the instrument was partially responsible for inspiring a veritable harp craze. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian...

Description The musicians of the Titanic all died when the ship sank in 1912. They played music, intending to calm the passengers, for as long as they possibly could. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact There are no indications that the Titanic’s band members ever attempted to save themselves, and all of them died in the sinking. Most people regard them as musical heroes, who helped to bring comfort and beauty to passengers’ final moments and avoid panic....