Classical Archive

A Venetian Coronation, 1595 - It's generally good to be king --- or, in Venice, Doge. The Doge was the chief magistrate. Thus, a man of a certain age and accomplishment. And, in Venice, a man

Albinoni (or is it Giazotto?): Adagio in G Minor - Over the holidays, the Times published a compelling video: how, in 90 minutes, Ed Sheeran made the biggest hit of the year. It’s not what you expect from the Times:

Alexander Nevsky - The greatest score in all of film --- so good that it inspired John Williams' shark theme in “Jaws” and James Horner's music for “Star Trek II:

Anonymous 4 - In the Middle Ages, women weren’t allowed to sing in public cathedrals. As late as the 1980s, women weren’t performing medieval chant and polyphony. In 1986, four women wondered what

Appassionato Yo-Yo Ma - Appassionato Yo-Yo Ma  

Arvo Part - Do you recall how Michael Moore handled the attack on the World Trade Center in 'Fahrenheit 9/11'? To the surprise of those who hate him, he did it very, very artfully. Almost a minute

Bach: Mass in B minor - Bach’s B Minor Mass was never played in his lifetime, but once it was discovered a century or so later, it was an object of awe. Beethoven kept a picture

Bach: Suites for Unaccompanied Cello - Before we consider the Bach Cello Suites, let's consider Yo-Yo Ma. Age: 7. At the White House in 1962. Playing, with his sister, for President and Mrs. Kennedy. Considering that the Bach Cello Suites

Beethoven Violin Concerto - Franz Clement may not have been as great a violinist as Ludwig van Beethoven was a composer, but he was quite the celebrity in 19th century

Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles - If a classical CD sells 500 copies a week, that’s good enough to propel it to #1 on the Billboard Traditional Classical list. “Lent at Ephesus,” the second CD by

Carl Orff: “Carmina Burana” - It’s the most popular piece of classical music written in the 20th century. How popular? This popular: This popular: This popular: Here's “O Fortuna,” the part of “Carmina Burana” that you have almost surely

Carmina Burana - Some would say that the most overplayed piece of classical music --- if only because people continue to get married --- is Pachelbel's Canon in D.

Christmas with the Tallis Scholars - When J.S. Bach wrote “SDG” on the bottom of every composition --- short for “soli deo gloria,” or “to God alone be the glory” --- he wasn't being falsely modest.

Claudio Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin (Vespro Della Beata Vergine) - Quick: Name two great pieces of choral music that were created as job applications. The B Minor Mass, by Bach? Yes. The other is harder: Vespro Della Beata Vergine (Vespers of

Four Last Songs/ The Year of Living Dangerously - Iraq is dissolving. This should be a surprise to no one. Easy to say this, from the comfort of a room with broadband and hot coffee. Much harder for the

Francisco Fullana - Let’s get it out of the way right at the beginning: Francisco Fullana is adorable. More to the point, as Gustavo Dudamel says, he’s “an amazing talent." Fullana is 27.

Gabriel Faure: Requiem - At memorial services, the music is often the Requiem of Gabriel Faure, It’s a gorgeous piece: lush but understated, powerful but not loud. It sends you into yourself

Glenn Gould: The Goldberg Variations - Eric Motley, now executive vice president of the Aspen Institute, recalls how he met Ruth Bader Ginsberg: Our improbable friendship began in 2002 at a Georgetown dinner party, and it began

Jacqueline du Pre - Her career lasted only 12 years, but if had been only half as long, she'd be considered one of the greatest cellists of the century --- her

Julia Fischer - This is the age of the phenomenon, of unknowns rising like rockets and lighting up the sky until they're all we can see. But only briefly.