Offbeat

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.

The Secret Love Affair Hidden in Alban Berg’s “Lyric Suite”

Explore the hidden love story in Alban Berg's Lyric Suite. Discover how Berg used musical references, initials, and numerology to encode his affair with Hanna Fuchs-Robettin.

A Brief Introduction to the Music of Final Fantasy

Explore the history of Final Fantasy and its iconic music by Nobuo Uematsu. Learn how the franchise's music has become a staple in orchestral concerts and game music events.

The Story Behind the “Borrowed” Melodies of Brahms and Liszt

This article explores how composers Brahms and Liszt incorporated Hungarian folk music into their works, sometimes mistakenly using other composers' pieces.

Pre-Performance Rituals with Pianist Stephen Hough

Pianist Stephen Hough shares his unique approach to practice, avoiding rituals and ensuring equal attention to all parts of a piece, rather than starting from the beginning.

The Mystery Behind Scriabin’s Mystic Chord

This article explores Russian composer Alexander Scriabin's fascination with the occult, his creation of the "mystic chord," and its use in his compositions, including the unfinished piece, Mysterium.