Violins by Stradivari are known as some of the finest instruments in the world. Seeing and hearing one played in person is a rare event, often associated with major museums and big cities like New York, Paris, and London. But … Continue reading →

One of the best-known works in the string repertoire is Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. This piece has received thousands of performances worldwide since its first performance in 1881 and has been recorded hundreds of times. But what few people know is … Continue reading →

Sometimes pieces of music are meant to entertain an audience. Sometimes they are meant to celebrate an occasion or welcome dignitaries to an event. Sometimes music is written just to get people’s attention. And sometimes a piece of music is … Continue reading →

Some works in the history of music have clear stories that relate to their composition. Mozart’s Requiem and his final illness and death, Beethoven’s anger at Napoleon and the Eroica (Third) Symphony, and Dvorak’s time spent in Iowa and his … Continue reading →

Julie Albers has led a remarkable life as a cellist, having performed around the world by the time she was just 21. And all of this started in small town of Longmont, Colorado. The Albers family was quite musical, so … Continue reading →