The Hidden Gems of Maurice Ravel
Among the composer's lesser known works are pieces inspired by ticking clocks, talking animals, and Madagascar folk songs!
Don't Miss a Beat
Composer Exploration: Jacques Ibert
When young Jacques finished grade school, he found a job in a movie house, playing piano for silent films.
Art and Music: Mendelssohn’s Watercolors
Felix Mendelssohn was a beacon in his world, whether as a conductor, composer, scholar, or painter. As a painter, he wallowed in images of man in dialogue with nature: landscapes with buildings or people under trees. The image to the right is of an unknown subject, but brings to mind the mysterious, churning sounds of his Hebrides Overture, and offers ...
Playlist: 10 Pieces That Changed the World
Pieces of music that turned the art form into something it hadn't seen.
Beyond ‘Tristan’
One of the more innovative efforts of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in recent years has been the concert series Beyond the Score. It’s an opportunity to peel the curtain back on a composition, on a composer’s mindset, and on their interaction with orchestral instruments. Each show combines musical excerpts, narration, and visuals to examine a single piece of music. After intermission, ...
