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Arts Alive Blog

Chapman Challenge: What’s the Spookiest Instrument?

Chapman Challenge: What’s the Spookiest Instrument?

In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses the spookiest instruments in honor of Halloween, highlighting the eerie sounds of the theremin and the scary potential of violins.

10/31/2024
Chapman Challenge: The History of Handbells

Chapman Challenge: The History of Handbells

In this Chapman Challenge, Alan explains the history of handbells, their transition from bell tower practice tools to melody instruments, and how melodies are divided among ringers in a handbell choir.

12/15/2021
John Carpenter, “Halloween” Composer for Hire

John Carpenter, “Halloween” Composer for Hire

Renowned director John Carpenter discusses his journey from filmmaker to musician, his approach to scoring his own films, and his experience working on the Halloween series.

10/30/2021
The Secret Love Affair Hidden in Alban Berg’s “Lyric Suite”

The Secret Love Affair Hidden in Alban Berg’s “Lyric Suite”

Explore the hidden love story in Alban Berg's Lyric Suite. Discover how Berg used musical references, initials, and numerology to encode his affair with Hanna Fuchs-Robettin.

02/11/2021
How Classical Music Powers a Child’s Brain

How Classical Music Powers a Child’s Brain

A study by USC's Brain and Creativity Institute reveals that classical music training in kids enhances brain function, boosts cognitive, social, and emotional development.

03/23/2020
How Do You Loan a Stradivarius?

How Do You Loan a Stradivarius?

Explore how rare Stradivarius violins, often owned by foundations or wealthy individuals, are loaned to musicians through intermediaries like the Stradivari Society of Chicago.

03/03/2020
The Story Behind the “Borrowed” Melodies of Brahms and Liszt

The Story Behind the “Borrowed” Melodies of Brahms and Liszt

This article explores how composers Brahms and Liszt incorporated Hungarian folk music into their works, sometimes mistakenly using other composers' pieces.

03/01/2020

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Pop CultureChapman ChallengeFilm/TVMusic HistoryMusic Theory

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Virtuosity and Nostalgia: Teresa Carreño and Chopin

Virtuosity and Nostalgia: Teresa Carreño and Chopin

Explore the life and music of Teresa Carreño, a South American composer and pianist, and her significant influence from Frédéric Chopin.

04/26/2025
Open Ears: Eva Jessye and the Harlem Renaissance

Open Ears: Eva Jessye and the Harlem Renaissance

This article explores the life of Eva Jessye, a key figure in American music and the Harlem Renaissance, who made significant contributions to civil rights and classical music.

03/26/2025
Fanny Mendelssohn Finally Gets Her Due

Fanny Mendelssohn Finally Gets Her Due

Fanny Mendelssohn's lost masterpiece, misattributed to her brother for 150 years, is finally recognized as hers, shedding light on her overlooked musical talent.

03/08/2025
Women Who Made (Musical) History

Women Who Made (Musical) History

Celebrating Women's History Month with a look at influential women in classical music, from Hildegard Von Bingen to Dr. Lucy Jones, who broke barriers and made history.

03/01/2025
The Sounds of Sunrise

The Sounds of Sunrise

Explore the beauty of sunrise through music with this list of compositions inspired by dawn, from Haydn's "Sunrise" Symphony to Ravel's "Daphnis and Chloe".

01/19/2025
Meet the Mozart of Spain, Sweden, and More

Meet the Mozart of Spain, Sweden, and More

Explore the lives of composers dubbed as the "Mozarts" of their countries, including Joseph Martin Kraus of Sweden, Juan Arriaga of Spain, and two English contenders.

01/19/2025