Composers and Players Are Reimagining Music in an Age of Climate Crisis
Across the classical world, the climate crisis increasingly shapes how composers and performers think about their art.
May-June 2026
The Creators of Forte3D Instruments Made a Deal on ‘Shark Tank,’ and Now They’ve Got to Keep Up with Demand
The effect of appearing on the ABC show was instantaneous: Not a day has passed since the air date without an order coming in.
Did You Know . . . The Longest Symphony in the Standard Repertory Is Mahler’s Third?
It lasts about 100 minutes and is performed quite often, but it is far from the longest ever written.
Rethinking Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major
It’s possible to see the ultimate wedding piece as a template for, and model of,
group improvisation.
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String Pioneers—Violinist Marie Soldat-Roeger Broke Boundaries While Disseminating the Stylistic Conventions of Her Age
She was best-known for her interpretations of Brahms but also pioneered the all-women string quartet, setting an example for later generations of female musicians.
Stephen Upshaw’s 300-Year-Old Viola Relishes Repertoire Both Old and New
The instrument, a beautiful and rare example by English maker Daniel Parker, was made in London around 1715.
Into the Light: Cellist Nicolas Altstaedt’s ‘Blackbirds’ Revisits a ’60s Hit and Celebrates the Obscure
Although the Beatles song of the same name is featured, ‘Blackbirds’ is not a collection of popular music from the ’60s arranged for cello. Instead it is repertoire that could be described as both classical and (mostly) rather obscure.
Review: Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas Showcase Their Mastery on ‘Meridians’
String masters at play.
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String Pioneers—Violinist Eddie South’s Legacy Deserves Revisiting
More than six decades after South’s death, it’s still possible to hear his music, often on compilations or archival reproductions on the internet.
5 Minutes with the Balourdet Quartet
At a time when many string quartet residencies are tied to universities or short-term engagements, the Balourdet Quartet has been part of a different kind of experiment in Seattle.
Gold Standard—London’s Historic Wigmore Hall Provides a Unique and Intimate Experience for Players and Audiences Alike
Wigmore Hall, the jewel in London’s musical crown, is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2026.