Features

Keys to Music podcast: Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony

Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony, written in 1888, is a work which arouses hugely divergent opinions. Many people love it dearly, and the famous horn solo in the second movement is often cited as an example of how to write a beautiful melody…

Keys to Music podcast: Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony

Tchaikovsky’s fourth symphony ranks as one of the most popular symphonies ever written.

It must also rank as one of the most misunderstood symphonies ever written. It has been common practice for more than a…

Keys to Music podcast: Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations

The most visionary and exciting set of piano…

Keys to Music podcast: Beethoven’s String Quartets

The Keys to Music podcast continues its survey of Beethoven’s music by exploring the String Quartets.

Beethoven’s seventeen string quartets span the traditional “three periods” of his life. The six Op 18 quartets…

Keys to Music podcast: Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas Episode 2

Our exploration continues with the last 11…

Keys to Music podcast: Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas Episode 1

Our survey of this astonishing output…

1725 and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons — Podcast

Jonathan Swift completes Gulliver’s Travels, gin and…

At the piano

Interviews with composers and musicians about the ‘orchestra under your fingers’

1894 and Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony — Podcast

The first commercial film is shown, Oscar Wilde writes The Importance of Being Earnest, and Mahler composes his epic Symphony No.2 ‘Resurrection’.