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Obstinate Ostinatos…
Explore the concept of Ostinato in music, its intensity and usage, with examples from Carl Orff's "O Fortuna" and Gustav Holst's "Mars, the Bringer of War".
The Power of E Major
Explore the power and brilliance of E Major through renowned pieces by composers like Rossini, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky, despite Beethoven's absence.
Don’t Underestimate the Tuba
Explore the depth and range of the tuba beyond its stereotype as an "oom-pah machine". This article highlights five orchestral pieces that showcase the tuba's versatility.
Chapman Challenge: What’s the Story Behind the Gewandhaus Orchestra?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan explains the origin of the Gewandhaus Orchestra's name, its connection to Leipzig's textile trade, and its evolution as a musical center since 1781.
Chapman Challenge: What’s an Opus Number?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan Chapman explains opus numbers in music, their purpose, and how they don't necessarily indicate the order of a composer's works.
Chapman Challenge: What Is a Rondo?
Explore the rondo, a popular musical form often used in concertos and symphonies, known for its recurring refrain and contrasting sections. Learn how composers play with its structure for listener enjoyment.
Chapman Challenge: What Is a Chaconne?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan Chapman explains the chaconne, a Baroque musical form built on a repeated series of chords, using Henry Purcell's work as an example.
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.
A Deep Dive into Beethoven's Beloved Symphony No. 9
Brian Lauritzen dives deep into Beethoven's timeless 9th Symphony
Chapman Challenge: The Story Behind Handel’s “Messiah”
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses Handel's journey with oratorios, from his first encounter in Italy to his profitable English oratorios, culminating in the creation of Messiah.
Beethoven’s Quartet of ‘Thanksgiving’
Beethoven's String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132, features a movement expressing gratitude for recovery from illness. It alternates between prayerful chorales and lively sections, reflecting his mortality.
The Story Behind “Appalachian Spring,” the Ballet
Explore the history of Appalachian Spring, a ballet commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, composed by Aaron Copland, and choreographed by Martha Graham.
The Mystery Behind Scriabin’s Mystic Chord
Explore the life of Russian composer Alexander Scriabin, his obsession with the occult, and his creation of the "mystic chord" used in his compositions.
