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A Heroic Piece in Hard Times: Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto
Explore the history of Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto, nicknamed "Emperor", composed during Napoleon's invasion of Vienna in 1809, reflecting the composer's resilience amidst chaos.
Clara Schumann Returns to the Limelight
Explore the life of Clara Schumann, a leading pianist of the Romantic era, who defied norms, balanced family and career, and whose work is gaining recognition.
WATCH: SKY Concert Featuring Jake Heggie
On May 30th, 2024 our evening host and resident artist pianist Lara Downes welcomes two longtime friends and musical collaborators: the legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and San Francisco’s own legend-in-the-making Jake Heggie, considered one of the world's most popular 21st-century opera and art song composers.
Saturday Morning CarTunes: The Piano
Classical Californians: Garrick Ohlsson
This week's Classical Californian is concert pianist Garrick Ohlsson
Classical Californians: Althea Waites
Classical Californian pianist Althea Waites shares her favorite performances, including works by Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, and Verdi.
Classical Californians: Sarah Cahill
Pianist Sarah Cahill is this week's Classical Californian
The Piano
The sounds of an entire orchestra in just two hands...
Classical Californians: Ben Shirley
This week's Classical Californian is composer Ben Shirley
Chapman Challenge: What’s the Spookiest Instrument?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses the spookiest instruments in honor of Halloween, highlighting the eerie sounds of the theremin and the scary potential of violins.
10 Composers From Across Latin America We’re Celebrating This Month!
Explore the rich heritage of Hispanic music through these 10 influential composers, from Teresa Carreño to Gabriela Ortiz.
Classical Californians: Francesco Lecce-Chong
This week our Classical Californian is Santa Rosa Symphony Music Director, Francesco Lecce-Chong
The Story Behind “Appalachian Spring,” the Ballet
Explore the history of Appalachian Spring, a ballet commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, composed by Aaron Copland, and choreographed by Martha Graham.
Bolero, Obsession, and the Brain
"Unraveling Bolero" artist Anne Adams and composer Maurice Ravel's shared experience with progressive aphasia is explored at a San Francisco symposium on arts and brain science.