Julian Nairne

Classical pianist, educator, and musicologist. Julian writes about music history, pedagogy, and the lives of great composers with a love for nuance and a passion for lifelong learning.

Music Education

The Curse of the Ninth Symphony: Why Did So Many Composers Stop at Nine?

The "Curse of the Ninth" haunts classical music folklore, with great composers seemingly doomed after completing nine symphonies. But is it fate, superstition, or simply the natural arc of creative life?