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The Great Outdoors

5 Pieces Perfect For a Stroll in the Woods

5 Pieces Perfect For a Stroll in the Woods

Explore five classical music pieces inspired by nature's beauty, from Strauss's ode to Vienna Woods to Vaughan-Williams's celebration of pastoral harmony in The Linden Tree.

07/06/2023
A River Runs Through This Music

A River Runs Through This Music

Explore the stories behind classical compositions inspired by rivers, from Smetana's The Moldau to Beglarian's BRIM: The River Project, and their transformative power.

09/19/2022
A Closer Look at Music Inspired by Rain

A Closer Look at Music Inspired by Rain

Explore music inspired by rain, from Chopin's Raindrop Prelude to Ryuichi Sakamoto's Oscar-winning Rain. Discover how various instruments, including piano and cello, evoke rainfall.

10/21/2021
Two Finns and Some Birds

Two Finns and Some Birds

Explore how composers like Vivaldi, Sibelius, and Rautavaara drew inspiration from birds and nature for their music in KUSC Great Outdoors Week series.

04/24/2020
5 Great Moments of Opera in the Great Outdoors

5 Great Moments of Opera in the Great Outdoors

Explore KUSC Great Outdoors Week with blogs on composers inspired by nature. Enjoy 5 operatic pieces reflecting the beauty of the outdoors, from Handel to Massenet.

04/24/2020

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The Great Outdoors image

The Great Outdoors

Grab your trail mix and put your sunglasses on, we're taking a hike!

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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.

03/13/2026
The World’s Top 5 Classical Music Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List

The World’s Top 5 Classical Music Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List

Explore the rich musical history of Vienna, Salzburg, Milan, Leipzig, and London. Discover iconic venues, museums, and homes of legendary composers in these classical music cities.

03/12/2026
Wendy Carlos: Synth Visionary

Wendy Carlos: Synth Visionary

Explore the life of Wendy Carlos, a pioneer in electronic music, known for her work with the Moog synthesizer and her groundbreaking album, Switched-On Bach.

03/10/2026
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.

03/08/2026
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.

03/07/2026
At the Movies: Alexandre Desplat's Frankenstein Score

At the Movies: Alexandre Desplat's Frankenstein Score

Composer Alexandre Desplat, speaks with Brian Lauritzen about his Oscar nominated work on 'Frankenstein'.

02/21/2026