Time once called Rorem “the world’s best composer of art songs,” and he was notable for his hundreds of compositions for the solo human voice.

Ichiyanagi studied at The Juilliard School in New York and emerged a pioneer, using compositional techniques that incorporated traditional Japanese elements and electronic music.

Hundreds of fans attended a special kind of musical happening at a church in Germany: a chord change in an organ piece that is supposed to last for an entirety of 639 years.

Katia and Marielle sat down to share their passion for rarely-performed gems, their love of new music, and how living composers have helped them find the freedom that fuels their artistry.

Though we tend to remember our favorite composers for their music first and foremost, many of them were virtuosic in more ways than one.

Whether bosom buddies or esteemed colleagues, there’s no doubt that these composers enjoyed genuine friendships that would influence their personal and professional lives.

Surprisingly, Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood is at the center of this musical standard.