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Christmas

Beyond the Classics: 12 More “Sleigh Rides” For the Holidays

Beyond the Classics: 12 More “Sleigh Rides” For the Holidays

Explore the history of the popular holiday song 'Sleigh Ride', from its creation by Leroy Anderson in 1946 to various renditions by artists like Mozart, Delius, and Mahler.

12/25/2024
The Secret Story Behind Tchaikovsky’s Mysterious Celesta in “The Nutcracker”

The Secret Story Behind Tchaikovsky’s Mysterious Celesta in “The Nutcracker”

Explore the history of the celesta, a unique instrument used in Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker and Harry Potter's theme. Discover how it went from obscurity to symphony staple.

12/23/2024
The Ukrainian Folk Tune Behind “Carol of the Bells”

The Ukrainian Folk Tune Behind “Carol of the Bells”

12/23/2024
The Lesser-Known History of “Jingle Bells”

The Lesser-Known History of “Jingle Bells”

Explore the history of the iconic Christmas song "Jingle Bells," from its creation by James Lord Pierpont in 1850 to its evolution and various renditions by famous artists over the years.

12/17/2024
Chapman Challenge: The Story Behind Handel’s “Messiah”

Chapman Challenge: The Story Behind Handel’s “Messiah”

In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses Handel's journey with oratorios, from his first encounter in Italy to his profitable English oratorios, culminating in the creation of Messiah.

12/16/2024
Celebrate the Holidays with Classical California

Celebrate the Holidays with Classical California

Holiday live, streaming and video programming.

12/13/2024
What Makes a Christmas Concerto a Christmas Concerto?

What Makes a Christmas Concerto a Christmas Concerto?

In this Chapman Challenge, Alan explains that a Christmas concerto is a type of concerto grosso from the Baroque period, characterized by a Pastorale movement.

12/13/2024

Shows

The Holidays image

The Holidays

A tribute to that special time of year.

The Holidays image

The Holidays

A tribute to that special time of year.

RELATED TOPICS

CultureTchaikovskyPop CultureNutcrackerArts Alive Blog

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Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

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Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Classical California

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The Favorite Eats of Classical Composers

The Favorite Eats of Classical Composers

Explore the culinary preferences of famous composers like Rossini, Mozart, Hildegard, Chopin, and Satie, and how food influenced their lives and works.

05/15/2025
Virtuosity and Nostalgia: Teresa Carreño and Chopin

Virtuosity and Nostalgia: Teresa Carreño and Chopin

Explore the life and music of Teresa Carreño, a South American composer and pianist, and her significant influence from Frédéric Chopin.

04/26/2025
Wendy Carlos: Synth Visionary

Wendy Carlos: Synth Visionary

Explore the life of Wendy Carlos, a pioneer in electronic music, known for her work with the Moog synthesizer and her groundbreaking album, Switched-On Bach.

03/21/2025
Fanny Mendelssohn Finally Gets Her Due

Fanny Mendelssohn Finally Gets Her Due

Fanny Mendelssohn's lost masterpiece, misattributed to her brother for 150 years, is finally recognized as hers, shedding light on her overlooked musical talent.

03/08/2025
Women Who Made (Musical) History

Women Who Made (Musical) History

Celebrating Women's History Month with a look at influential women in classical music, from Hildegard Von Bingen to Dr. Lucy Jones, who broke barriers and made history.

03/01/2025