Behind the music
List of News Articles
The story behind Silent Night and other carols
18 November 2024
The history of Christmas carols is long and surprisingly varied - we look at a few of them.The search for Beethoven's successor
4 November 2024
Beethoven died in 1827. Who would be worthy to take on his mantle?Why is there so little classical Christmas music?
28 October 2024
Where are all the Christmas classics from the great composers?Not just Eurovision: an introduction to Swedish music
7 October 2024
Wherein we challenge you to think past 'Waterloo' and 'Mamma mia' ...The viola concerto
23 September 2024
Our examination of the concerto continues with the viola, whose potential as a solo instrument was long unrecognised.Pulcinella and the dangers of (mis)attribution
16 September 2024
Stravinsky's ballet Pulcinella is based on music by Pergolesi. Or is it?The first Black composers
9 September 2024
To celebrate Black History Month, we look at the early history of Black composers, from Joseph Boulogne to Samuel Taylor-Coleridge.Mozart and the Weber sisters
2 September 2024
We look at Mozart's close relationship with the children of the Weber family.The cello concerto
26 August 2024
In a new series for 2024/25, who better than the SCO players to guide us through the best concertos for their instrument?The reappraisal of Così fan tutte
1 July 2024
Neglected during much of the 19th century, Mozart's Cinderella of an opera is more relevant than ever today.Spanish music by French composers
1 July 2024
From Bizet to Ravel, we look at the long-standing fascination of French composers for the music of Spain.Beethoven's Seventh: the apotheosis of the dance?
10 June 2024
How has Wagner's epithet affected the way we approach this favourite Beethoven symphony?