Music of the World

As a piano teacher I frequently ask new students who are their favourite jazz pianists, or even just to name a jazz musician they enjoy listening to. It's noticeable that many of the revered jazz players of the past (and present) are very often men. 

It can seem that either there weren’t very many women jazz musicians, or that they have been side-lined or ignored. This is a situation that was very familiar in the 19th century art world, when the profession of artist was not considered suitable for a woman, with female painters being denied admission to academies and prevented from exhibiting their work.

As part of the JAZZ PIANO LIBRARY series of podcasts for Morley Radio I’ve recorded three programmes about Women Jazz Pianists, with fellow pianist Joy Ellis as my guest and co-presenter. Over the course of these we've played recordings by pianists dating from the 1920s to the 2020s – the whole history of recorded jazz.

Poetry finds its way into music in all sorts of ways, from composers setting verses directly to music, to instrumental works inspired by poetic imagery and ideas. It’s an adaptable art form, capable of expressing the most intimate emotions as well as vast, philosophical landscapes.

Have you ever wondered what Ariana Grande's ‘thank u, next’ or Taylor Swift's ‘Wildest Dreams’ would have sounded like in the early 19th century? The hit Netflix series Bridgerton gives us the answer and has sparked a global hype that extends far beyond the TV screen. The second part of the fourth season premiered on 26 February.

For musicians and music lovers, the series offers a fascinating phenomenon: it makes classical instrumentation ‘sexy,’ modern and absolutely mainstream. In this article, you'll learn what's behind the success and why the music from Bridgerton can currently be found on every sheet music shelf.

On Tuesday 20^th February 1816, Gioachino Rossini’s opera buffa The Barber of Seville received its premiere at the Teatro Argentina in Rome. Written in just over three weeks (with revisions added later), it is now hailed as a masterclass of the operatic canon and considered by some to be the composer’s magnum opus—put down the pitchforks, William Tell “Overture” fans. At the time, however, it wasn’t quite so clear that it would go on to so storied a reputation. Worse yet, the first performance was nothing short of a cataclysm for the then-27 year old Rossini.

Observed annually around the world, Black History Month celebrates the achievements of Black communities, whilst also remembering Black history. In the UK, these celebrations take place in October, and this year’s theme is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’. The theme conveys a message of resilience, celebrating the remarkable contributions of Black communities, whilst also envisioning a future built on strength and unity.

Music has become an integral part of films. What began in the silent film era as an accompaniment to images and a way to cover up projector noise is now an indispensable part of the movie-going experience. Film music both creates and enhances suspense, moves us to tears, and often stays in our minds longer than the images themselves. It is more than just background noise, it is an invisible actor that has a decisive influence on the impact of a story. At Schott Music, you will find not only numerous iconic works to play, but also published original works by great film composers. In this article, you will learn what makes film music special, how it is created, which composers have shaped it, and how you can play film music yourself.