French composer Georges Bizet (1838–1875) started the trend among French composers for ‘childhood-related works’ with Jeux d’enfants (Children’s Games), his 1871 suite for two pianos – four hands. The final 12 pieces encompass all kinds of children’s games, some for

For generations, classical music composers have poured the emotional fallouts from their romantic lives into their music, creating some of the most emotional works in the repertoire. Today, we’re looking at seven of the saddest classical music pieces inspired by

Johannes Brahms, one of the most revered composers of the Romantic era, is celebrated for his rich, lyrical, and deeply emotive music. His compositions, ranging from symphonies to chamber music and solo piano works, are known for their structural complexity,

One of the wonderful aspects of the 1937 International Exhibition held in Paris was the amount of music written for the fair. Centred on the Jena Bridge and the Eiffel Tower, the exhibition involved buildings up and down both sides

American composer Jennifer Stevenson received a commission from the clarinet and voice duo Whistling Hens and produced a very amusing work entitled Musical Invective. This 2022 work takes the voices of contemporary critics of 5 composers and sets them to

For many classical music lovers, getting to visit the places where their favourite composers once lived and worked is an extraordinary experience. Fortunately, many of these places have been lovingly preserved, from Mozart and Beethoven’s birthplaces to the countryside retreats

As we step into 2026, we carry with us the quiet and enduring hope that every new year invites. The hope for peace, for connection, and for renewal. Few words capture this yearning as simply and profoundly as the Latin

Few years in classical music history capture a moment of transition as vividly as 1926. That year, late-Romantic giants took their final bows; modernist voices sharpened their edge; early-music traditions resurfaced after generations; and musicians across continents experimented boldly with