Behind the music
List of News Articles
An introduction to keyboard percussion instruments
6 October 2025
Can you tell the difference between a vibraphone and a xylophone?Mozart and the development of the piano concerto
29 September 2025
How one composer almost single-handedly raised the piano concerto to unprecedented heightsHaydn, Father of the Symphony
22 September 2025
In the latest in our series looking at the symphony, what makes Haydn so significant in its development?When composers don't write a full Mass
15 September 2025
Some sections of the Mass are more popular than others ...Symphonies and their nicknames
8 September 2025
Beethoven's Fifth has a nickname? Well, it does according to some people ...The percussion concerto
1 September 2025
Our examination of the concerto now turns to percussion. Expect the unexpected!The clarinet concerto
16 June 2025
It's the clarinet's turn to step centre-stage for a look at their concerto repertoire. It's possible Mozart is mentioned!Opera seria: a beginner's guide
9 June 2025
Ahead of the SCO's performances of two key opera seria in this year's Edinburgh International Festival, we look at the history of the genre.The lure of the exotic: northern Africa in classical music
2 June 2025
How does the west's fascination with the wider Arab world come across in music? We look at a few examples ...Beethoven's 'lesser' symphonies
26 May 2025
Why are some Beethoven symphonies better-known than others?The bassoon concerto
19 May 2025
For the last article in our concerto series (for now), we turn to an instrument too often dismissed as the orchestra's resident joker.The flute concerto
12 May 2025
In the third installment of our series looking at the concerto, it's the turn of the SCO flautists to recommend their favourites.