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Russian Music

The Mystery Behind Scriabin’s Mystic Chord

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.

11/17/2025
Alexander Borodin Goes to Broadway

Alexander Borodin Goes to Broadway

Explore how Borodin's Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor made Broadway history in Kismet, winning multiple Tony Awards, including a posthumous one for Borodin.

09/16/2024
Lara Downes Takes a Broad Look at the American Dream

Lara Downes Takes a Broad Look at the American Dream

Lara Downes' new CD, "America Again," explores the American dream through diverse American composers, inspired by the Charleston shootings.

06/18/2020
“Rake’s Progress” at Merola

“Rake’s Progress” at Merola

Merola Opera Program's young singers present Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress. Tenor Christopher Oglesby, who's been singing for three years, plays lead role Tom Rakewell.

03/06/2020
Exploring Shostakovich’s Quartets

Exploring Shostakovich’s Quartets

The Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg explore Dmitri Shostakovich's complete string quartets over two seasons at the Mondavi Center, providing context to the music.

03/06/2020
Karen Gomyo on Shostakovich’s Powerful Violin Concerto

Karen Gomyo on Shostakovich’s Powerful Violin Concerto

Violinist Karen Gomyo to perform Shostakovich's Violin Concerto with the San Francisco Symphony, exploring its secret narrative and emotional depth, in a program titled 'Banned and Boycotted'.

03/06/2020
Symphony Parnassus Plays Pyotr, Preben, and Prokofiev

Symphony Parnassus Plays Pyotr, Preben, and Prokofiev

Symphony Parnassus features Tchaikovsky, Antonsen, and Prokofiev's violin concerto by Pierce Wang, a two-time winner of the Parnassus Conservatory Competition.

03/06/2020

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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
The Many Lives of the “The Flower Duet”

The Many Lives of the “The Flower Duet”

Explore the Flower Duet from Delibes' opera Lakme. Discover its use in TV, film, and creative remixes.

01/01/2026
The Secret Story Behind Tchaikovsky’s Mysterious Celesta in “The Nutcracker”

The Secret Story Behind Tchaikovsky’s Mysterious Celesta in “The Nutcracker”

Explore the history of the celesta, a unique instrument used in Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker and Harry Potter's theme. Discover how it went from obscurity to symphony staple.

12/29/2025
A Deep Dive into Beethoven's Beloved Symphony No. 9

A Deep Dive into Beethoven's Beloved Symphony No. 9

Brian Lauritzen dives deep into Beethoven's timeless 9th Symphony

12/16/2025
George Gershwin Captures the Sounds of Paris

George Gershwin Captures the Sounds of Paris

Explore the inspiration and creation of George Gershwin's symphonic poem, An American in Paris, its initial reception, and its enduring popularity in music and film.

12/08/2025
Beethoven’s Quartet of ‘Thanksgiving’

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.

11/25/2025