Meet Méhul
The Parker Symphony is set to play a piece titled La chasse du jeune Henri ("Young Henri's hunt") in October by a composer named Étienne Méhul, but who exactly is…
Classical music articles designed to help everyone learn more about the genre. Articles suited for all levels of music knowledge.
Maria Theresia von Paradis Lost and Found
How Maria Theresia von Paradis overcame the odds after losing her eyesight to become a musician and composer in 1700's Vienna. And how her lost works haven't stopped her from…
Rissolty, Rossolty, Crawford Seeger’s Anomaly
Ruth Crawford Seeger was one of a group of American composers known as "ultramoderns" who wrote works during the 1920s and 1930s. Her distinctive style was once referred to as…
6 Interesting Facts About Mozart’s Symphony No. 25
Mozart wrote 41 symphonies (according to original numbering) and some are arguably better than others. Number 41, nicknamed the "Jupiter Symphony", is rated by many critics as among the greatest…
7 Facts About “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (also known as "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory") was written in 1861 by Julia Ward Howe, wife of Samuel Howe - a scholar…
Why Do Orchestras Need Sheet Music and Soloists Don’t?
Whether you are an avid orchestral performance attendee or you go to the occasional concert or two, you have probably seen at least one concerto featuring a soloist. You may…
7 Interesting Facts About The Grieg Piano Concerto
This May, DU Lamont School of Music's Heidi Leathwood will join the Parker Symphony in performing Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor. It's one of the composer's most popular works…
Photo courtesy of The New York Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/theater/reviews/audra-mcdonald-in-the-gershwins-porgy-and-bess-review.html
11 Amazing Facts About Porgy and Bess
Porgy and Bess is one of George Gershwin's best-known works (along with Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris). It is an English-language folk opera featuring a cast of…
Handel’s “Messiah” FAQs
Handel's "Messiah" is one of the most widely played pieces during the Christmas season and certainly the most popular oratorio (a musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists). It's also,…
What Is A Concerto Grosso?
If you've ever listened to baroque music (think Vivaldi, Corelli, Handel, etc.), you've probably seen the term Concerto Grosso and wondered, "What is that?" Well, as you can probably guess,…