Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is the composer most commonly known as “Mozart.” However, although less well-known, Wolfgang’s father, Leopold Mozart, was also a musician and an innovative composer. Leopold was known for his musical “naturalism,” which included using unconventional sounds to…

Boris Godunov is an opera based on the historical events surrounding the rise and fall of the Russian Tsar of the same name.  Written by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, the opera is set in the early 17th century, a time…

Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” which premiered in 1913, was a groundbreaking ballet and orchestral work that revolutionized classical music. The piece is divided into two parts, depicting pagan rituals celebrating the arrival of spring, culminating in the sacrifice…

At one time, both guitars and violins were exclusively acoustic instruments. Although electric versions of both instruments were first invented about 90 years ago and electric guitars have been popular for about 70 years, it has taken much longer for…

Gioachino Rossini’s Duetto buffo di due gatti (Cat Duet) is a charming and humorous piece, which contrasts with the operas for which Rossini is best known. Written for two sopranos and based on themes from Rossini’s opera “Otello,” the duet…

During the early 20th century, the Soviet Union sought to cultivate an art culture that aligned with its socialist ideals. Jazz, with its roots in American culture and its associations with individuality and improvisation, was antithetical to Soviet values. So,…

Encores in classical music began in the 18th century as an informal and impromptu extension of a performance, driven by the audience’s desire to hear more from the performer. If a piece or performance segment was well-received, the applause and…