mozart featured

Mozart’s ‘Requiem’

'Requiem,' Mozart's final masterpiece, was written in late 1791, while the composer lay dying. In 1893 George P. Upton published this detailed account of the composition's creation.
by David McGee
 

 
 
stand with standing rock featured

Trump Gives Finger to Native Americans

Chief Red Cloud, late 1800s: 'They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they never kept but one: they promised to take our land, and they took it.'
by David McGee
 

 

 
the breath carry kin

Music to Entrance, Uplift and Break Your Heart

Manchester, England's THE BREATH features guitarist STUART MCCALLUM and vocalist RIOGHNACH CONNOLLY delving deeply into the spaces between rock, ambient and Irish folk
by David McGee
 

 
 
7imp 4 copy featured

The Secret Project

How do you explain the atomic bomb to children? JULES says a new book, THE SECRET PROJECT, by JONAH WINTER and JEANETTE WINTER, is 'a compelling introduction to this topic.' The first review is here.
by David McGee
 

 

 
twenty waies featured

The ‘Circular Music’ of Pellingmans’ Saraband

On its new album, TWENTY WAIES UPON THE BELS, PELLINGMANS' SARABAND explores 'circular music' from the 16th and 17th centuries, including a tune with verses written by imprisoned Anne Boylen.
by David McGee
 

 
 
alexandra featured

Sniffing Out Revelations About the Canine Sense of Smell

After reading ALEXANDRA HOROWITZ’s 'Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell,' it turns out that many of us may have severely underestimated just how much that nose knows. DUNCAN STRAUSS investigates.
by David McGee
 

 

 
david wood christmas gift

The Greatest Gift

A solo acoustic guitar masterpiece, DAVID WOOD's A CHRISTMAS GIFT captures the true spirit of the season as few Yuletide efforts ever have. Originally recorded for family and friends, it's a gift to the world now..
by David McGee
 

 
 
classical featured

From Advent to Epiphany

Classical editor ROBERT HUGILL rounds up the best in Classical Christmas albums for 2016.
by David McGee
 

 

 
niles featured

‘I WONDER AS I WANDER’

STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS: JOHN JACOB NILES's own account of writing 'I Wonder As I Wander,' plus an online discussion of the meaning of 'on'ry' in the first verse.
by David McGee
 

 
 
cool yule featured

Baby, It’s Hot in Here!

A vintage pick from 2009: The HOT CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO in various configurations performing unique and often witty transformations of Yule classics.
by David McGee
 

 

 
fa la la la

‘Deck The Hall’

It's really titled 'DECK THE HALL' (singular) and dates to 16th century Wales. Behold the story behind the song and versions by NAT KING COLE, THE ROCHES, JAMES TAYLOR and MITCH MILLER
by David McGee
 

 
 
collins keys to christmas

The Key Man Claus(e)

On his all-instrumental Yuletide offering, KEYS TO CHRISTMAS, pianist-producer JEFF COLLINS offers seasonal delights with a twist, and engaging thoughtful moments as well.
by David McGee