Find Us on Social Media:
The Mystery Behind Scriabin’s Mystic Chord
This article explores Russian composer Alexander Scriabin's fascination with the occult, his creation of the "mystic chord," and its use in his compositions, including the unfinished piece, Mysterium.
The Musical Quest for Perpetual Motion
Explore the concept of Perpetual Motion in music, as seen in works by composers like Niccolò Paganini and Johann Strauss II, defying the laws of thermodynamics.
A Brief History of Composers Sneaking Their Names into Their Music
Explore the intriguing world of musical cryptograms, where composers like Bach and Shostakovich cleverly embed their names into their compositions using note sequences.
What’s the Relationship Among the Movements in a Symphony?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses the harmonic and melodic relationships among the movements of a symphony, using Beethoven's Fifth Symphony as an example.
Chapman Challenge: How Does a Composer Pick the Key for a Piece?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses how composers choose keys for their pieces, considering factors like instrument range, personal preference, and connections to previous works.
Chapman Challenge: Do Composers Write for Each Instrument?
Explore the process of symphony composition in this Chapman Challenge. Learn how composers craft each note for every instrument, and the role of orchestrators in Broadway and film music.
Chapman Challenge: What Is a Rondo?
Explore the rondo, a popular musical form often used in concertos and symphonies, known for its recurring refrain and contrasting sections. Learn how composers play with its structure for listener enjoyment.
The Violin
Whether a particular violin is worth a fortune or not, its true value isn't in its price tag—it's in the way the violin whispers, soars, and tell stories that stir our souls.
The Symphony
A symphony is like an enormous musical mural that wraps all the way around you. Each instrument plays its own colors and patterns until they all create something magnificent together.
Virtuosity and Nostalgia: Teresa Carreño and Chopin
Explore the life and music of Teresa Carreño, a South American composer and pianist, and her significant influence from Frédéric Chopin.
Fanny Mendelssohn Finally Gets Her Due
Fanny Mendelssohn's lost masterpiece, misattributed to her brother for 150 years, is finally recognized as hers, shedding light on her overlooked musical talent.
The Sounds of Sunrise
Explore the beauty of sunrise through music with this list of compositions inspired by dawn, from Haydn's "Sunrise" Symphony to Ravel's "Daphnis and Chloe".
Meet the Mozart of Spain, Sweden, and More
Explore the lives of composers dubbed as the "Mozarts" of their countries, including Joseph Martin Kraus of Sweden, Juan Arriaga of Spain, and two English contenders.
Chapman Challenge: The Story Behind Handel’s “Messiah”
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses Handel's journey with oratorios, from his first encounter in Italy to his profitable English oratorios, culminating in the creation of Messiah.
What Makes a Christmas Concerto a Christmas Concerto?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan explains that a Christmas concerto is a type of concerto grosso from the Baroque period, characterized by a Pastorale movement.
