Mahler – Symphony No. 9 – A Beginner’s Guide
A guide to Mahler’s Symphony No. 9, with historical background, analysis, and recommendations for the best recordings.
Beginners Guides
Read structural analysis and historical context for cornerstone works of the repertoire. Spanning from Bach to Prokofiev, these guides explain complex musical forms and orchestral textures. Each article suggests exactly where to start with a composer and details the most highly regarded recordings for new listeners.
Prokofiev – Piano Concerto No. 3 – A Beginners Guide
A guide to Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3, with historical background, analysis, and recommendations for the best recordings.
Mahler – Symphony No. 5 – A Beginner’s Guide
A guide to Mahler's Symphony No. 5 with historical background, analysis, and recommendations for the best recordings.
Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 3 (“Scottish”) – A Beginners Guide
A guide to Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3 ("Scottish"), with historical background, analysis, and recommendations for the best recordings.
Beethoven – Symphony No. 6 – A Beginners Guide
A guide to Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 ("Pastoral") with historical background, analysis, and recommendations for the best recordings.
Schubert – Winterreise – A Beginners Guide
A guide to one of Franz Schubert's defining song cycles with background, analysis, and recommendations for the best recordings.
Debussy – Préludes – A Beginners Guide
A guide to Debussy’s two books of Préludes, with background, analysis and recommendations for the best recordings.
Brahms – Symphony No. 1 – A Beginners Guide
A guide to Brahms' First Symphony, with background, analysis and recommendations for the best recordings.
Mahler – Symphony No. 1 (“Titan”) – A Beginners Guide
A guide to Mahler's First Symphony, with background, analysis and recommendations for the best recordings.
Bach – A beginners Guide
Where to start when you want to get to know the music of Bach, one of the leading figures in the late Baroque era? Here are 10 pieces…