Bernard Herrmann: the iconic film composer who formed a dream team with Alfred Hitchcock
Complex and irascible, Bernard Herrmann was plagued by career frustrations, but remains one of cinema’s most iconic musical voices A young woman steps into a motel shower; she smiles with…
Ludwig van Beethoven: a force of nature at the dawn of Romanticism
Who was Beethoven? Beethoven was not only one of the greatest composers of all time – but also something of a revolutionary. Not just in the obvious sense that his compositions…
Johannes Brahms: a great Romantic
Meet Johannes Brahms, the Janus-like face of Romanticism Read on for our guide to the life and works of Johanne Brahms. One of the greatest Romantic composers, Brahms was a…
Samuel Barber: last great American Romantic
Who was Samuel Barber? Before anything else, Samuel Barber was a singer. When he was growing up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, he was impressed by the glamour surrounding his aunt…
Rebecca Clarke: viola virtuoso and chamber music adventurer
Equally accomplished as a performer and composer, Rebecca Clarke took many by surprise with her finest masterpiece, as Leah Broad explains America’s musical press in 1919 was awash with rumours…
François Couperin: celebrated Baroque composer and harpsichord virtuoso
The 18th-century French composer François Couperin lavished as much colour and character on his work as any artist of his era, says Kate Bolton-Porciatti Few composers offer such a vibrantly…
Chris de Souza explores the life and work of the great Austrian composer Carl Czerny, from being taught by Beethoven to teaching Liszt
If genius is 99 per cent perspiration, then Carl Czerny undoubtedly was one. His output was enormous, produced on an industrial scale, using conveyor-belt processes. Who was Carl Czerny? Carl…
Antonín Dvořák: Incomparable Czech Melodist
Read on for our guide to the life and music of the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, creator of some of the masterful and meloduc music of the late 19th century.…
Elgar: Where To Start With His Music
You’re likely to hear some of his music at the Coronation of King Charles III. But Edward Elgar was a composer of so much more than some rousing anthems. His output…
Who is Alexis Ffrench? Meet the composer and pianist who performed at the Coronation
Meet the composer and pianist, Alexis Ffrench, who is among the artists performing at the coronation concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle on 7 May Alexis Ffrench performed at…