In 1923, Ottorino Respighi (1879 -1936) moved from Bologna to Rome. The Capital immediately struck him with its marvelous fountains and its characteristic pine trees with their distinctive umbrella shape.

In the early 1930s, Paul Hindemith was working on an opera called Mathis der Maler (Matthias the Painter), based on the life of Matthias Grünewald, a Renaissance painter known for his emotional and spiritual Isenheim altarpiece. The story of the opera was about an artist struggling between creating his art and getting involved in the political chaos of his time - basically, Hindemith’s own situation.

Smetana’s String Quartet No. 1 "From My Life" (1876), isn’t just music. It tells the story of his life, from youthful dreams to the devastating moment he lost his hearing.

Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony, the Pathétique, was his last symphony. The composer died just nine days after conducting its premiere in 1893. Some believe the music hints at his own death. Others think the symphony hides a secret programme Tchaikovsky had never disclosed.

The Scythian Suite by Sergei Prokofiev is a wild, explosive orchestral work with a fascinating backstory.

Maurice Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major is one of the most brilliant and original works in the 20th-century piano repertoire. It’s lively, colorful, and blends jazz influences with the European classical tradition, creating a unique mix that left its mark on music history.

Igor Stravinskij's Petruska is a masterpiece that everyone should hear at least once. The first five minutes are an exceptional example of Stravinsky's absolute genius.

If someone asked me to tell what "classical music" is, I would pick a passage from the Balakirev's 1st Symphony. The way the clarinet opens the third movement is just an excuse to create beauty and wonder.

The twentieth century brought to light a new musical form. Concerto for Orchestra has been explored by many composers, let’s explore works by Hindemith, Bartók and Petrassi.

Brahms' "Hungarian Dances" are some of the most fun and energetic pieces in classical music, and they come with a great backstory.

In 1894, Claude Debussy (1862-1918) presented, almost unnoticed, a work that would alter the world's perception of music. A work that will change the sound of French music for most of the next century. With Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, noted Pierre Boulez, 'the art of music began to beat with a new pulse'.

Imagine a piece that begins with each instrument in the orchestra playing a different note. The resulting chromatic cluster covers more than five octaves. The conductor's score spans two pages stacked vertically. This is György Ligeti's Atmosphères for Orchestra.

The Leningrad premiere of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 was an act of courage and resistance against the brutal Nazi 1941-1944 siege of Leningrad. To make this performance happen, a massive effort was put in place from musicians, officials, and citizens, for battling the life-threatening conditions caused by the blockade.

Louis Spohr wrote a very unusual symphony, the 6th. While the first three movements are a tribute to the Baroque and Classical period, the fourth is a satirical parody of the "modern" composers.

4th Symphony was the first work to bring Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) on international recognition. It was composed between 1914 and 1916, the threat of war made Carl think about a new music piece, where he wanted to express the idea that life, and the will to live, in all its driving force and resilience, is "inextinguishable", hence the title.

Zoltán Kodály collaborated with Béla Bartók to promote Magyar folk music. His work "Dances of Galánta" celebrates folk traditions, particularly verbunkos style, which contrasts slow and lyrical sections with lively rhythms. This orchestral piece intricately mixes distinct dance themes, showcasing virtuosic instrumentation and cultural pride.

Wozzeck is an Expressionist opera composed by Alban Berg (1885-1935) between 1914 and 1922. The opera breaks away from traditional opera: its futuristic musical language merges with classical formal structure, achieving dramatic effects never seen before.

Jacques Offenbach gained his celebrity with his operettas, but become immortal thanks to his unique serious opera, Les contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann).