News
After a hiatus of two years, it is with great pleasure that The Olga & Jules Craen Foundation invites young musicians from anywhere in India to apply for its Young Musician of the Year 2027 award. The OJCF is pleased to convey that the National Centre for the Performing Arts
Know Your Composer
Beyond the 'Unfinished Symphony' and 'Trout Quintet' lies a wealth of remarkable music. Discover ten underrated works by Franz Schubert that reveal his lyrical brilliance, inventive imagination and extraordinary range across chamber, orchestral, sacred and piano music.
Features
Educational repertoire demands creativity as much as concert music. Composer and educator James Welburn explores how writing for learners balances imagination with pedagogy, helping young musicians develop technique, confidence and a lifelong love of making music.
Music Education
Classical music is surrounded by misconceptions, from the idea that it is only for experts to the belief that it is outdated. We separate fact from fiction by debunking ten of the most common myths.
Music Education
The Suzuki and Kodály methods have shaped music education for generations, but they take very different approaches to developing young musicians. Discover their philosophies, strengths and key differences to help determine which method best suits different learners.
Features
From wartime premieres to hidden manuscripts and exiled composers, classical music has repeatedly survived humanity's darkest moments. Discover how wars, revolutions and political upheavals shaped the music we continue to perform and cherish today.
Know Your Composer
Joseph Haydn's musical legacy is celebrated worldwide, but few know the extraordinary story of what happened after his death. Discover the bizarre tale of the composer's stolen skull, scientific obsession and the remarkable journey that lasted 145 years.
Rumours once claimed that violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini had sold his soul to the Devil. In reality, his astonishing technique, dramatic stage presence and carefully cultivated mystique created one of music history’s most enduring legends.
Drawing on over two decades across the US, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, Cindy Hwang reflects on cultural leadership, audience connection, and how thoughtful programming can shape the future of classical music worldwide.
Piano-born yet guitar-haunted, Granados’s 'Danzas españolas' find new life in a complete duo transcription by Eugenio Della Chiara and Pietro Locatto. They discuss tradition, tuning, colour, and the intimacy of playing as one.
On the first death anniversary of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, the members of Shakti reunite to honour his legacy. Through memories, music and a shared history of innovation, they recount the extraordinary journey that shaped Indo-jazz fusion.
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Composer Melissa Dunphy and conductor Dominick DiOrio discuss ‘On the Horizon’, a large-scale cantata confronting climate change through the voices of young singers, and reflect on collaboration, responsibility, and the enduring communal power of choral music.
The digital music portfolio is essential for showcasing a musician’s skills, experience, and artistic journey. It helps reviewers assess talent online, requiring clear structure, strong recordings, updated content, and cohesive presentation to create opportunities.
Through its famous repeated note, shifting harmonies and dramatic contrasts, Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude traces an emotional path from serenity to turbulence and back again, revealing the composer’s extraordinary ability to create profound expression from remarkably simple musical material.
World Premiere, 4 June 2026; Performance Reviewed: 13 June. Sir John Tavener's 'Krishna' transforms episodes from Hindu mythology into a visually rich and spiritually ambitious opera, combining haunting music, vivid imagery and moments of transcendence.
Composer, conductor and arranger Jamie Wilkins discusses his creative process, the influence of history and storytelling on his music, recording with the London Symphony Orchestra, and the remarkable experiences that have shaped his musical journey.
Examine the fine line between clever wordplay and misheard lyrics in modern music, why our brains mishear songs, and the most commonly confused lines.
Often associated with angels, fairy tales and shimmering glissandos, the harp is one of classical music's most misunderstood instruments. From Debussy to Stravinsky, its rich expressive palette reveals a voice capable of drama, power, mystery and innovation.
More than a century after its explosive premiere, Igor Stravinsky’s 'The Rite of Spring' remains a landmark of musical modernism. This analysis explores its revolutionary rhythms, daring orchestration, folk influences and enduring impact on twentieth-century music.
Favoured by Prince Nikolaus Esterházy and championed by Haydn, the baryton nearly vanished from musical life. Matthew Baker discusses reviving the instrument through the Valencia Baryton Project and bringing its remarkable repertoire to modern audiences.
Though often viewed as representatives of contrasting musical worlds, Claude Debussy and Igor Stravinsky shared a remarkable artistic bond. Their mutual admiration fostered a creative exchange that influenced modern music and connected two of the twentieth century’s greatest composers.
A professional violinist's life involves far more than concerts and applause. Discover how elite musicians structure their days through practice, rehearsals, teaching, physical conditioning, and artistic preparation to maintain the highest standards of performance.
From Monteverdi's early masterpieces to Verdi's global triumphs, Italian opera became Europe's dominant musical language. Discover how Italy's singers, composers, and theatres transformed a local art form into an international cultural phenomenon.
