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. Many
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 century (it was written in the 1870
The Keys to Music podcast continues its survey of Beethoven’s music by exploring the Diabelli Variations.The thirty-three "Diabelli" variations on a waltz by the Viennese composer and publisher Anton Diabelli (1781-1858, pictured) make up wha
The Keys to Music podcast continues its survey of Beethoven's music with the string quartets.Beethoven's seventeen string quartets span the traditional "three periods" of his life. The six Op 18 quartets come from the early period, the three
The Keys to Music podcast continues its survey of Beethoven's piano sonatas by looking at the last eleven, starting with Op 54 in F, written in 1804.The later sonatas of Beethoven were regarded right from their first publication as vital, gro
Our survey of Beethoven's piano sonatas begins with the dazzling sonatas written when the composer was just 12 years old. Known as the "Electoral" sonatas because they were dedicated to the Elector of Bonn, these are not numbered among the trad
Rifles are introduced to America by Swiss immigrants, snuff is rife amongst the European elite, and the Brandenburg Concertos are written by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Galileo discovers the moons of Jupiter, ‘allegory’ and ‘victim’ enter the English language, and Venetian composer Monteverdi publishes the Vespers for the Blessed Virgin.
The Industrial Revolution is in full swing in England, Singapore is developed as a trading post, and Schubert laments the death of a fish in his Trout Quintet.
Charles Dickens is 12 years old, Emmanuel Kant sets out a manifesto for the Enlightenment, and Beethoven changes music forever with his Choral Symphony.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is under construction, the Klu Klux Klan reaches around 4 million members, and Gershwin brings together the genres of classical and jazz in Rhapsody in Blue.
Australia celebrates the bicentenary, the Phantom of the Opera opens on Broadway, and Philip Glass is inspired by Kafka to write his his Metamorphosis.
202 people die in the Bali bombings, half of the world’s data is stored in digital form for the first time, and Elena Kats-Chernin writes the ballet music Wild Swans, including Eliza’s Aria.