Composer Richard Strauss was a mediocre pianist. He knew how to write dazzling music that took the instruments of the orchestra to new heights, but when it came to the piano, he struggled. The instrument …

Mozart composed his Piano Concerto No. 26 in February of 1788. The nickname “Coronation” is attributed to the fact that he performed this work when Leopold II was crowned Emperor at Frankfurt in October 1790. …

Beethoven’s late string quartets have been regarded with awe and wonder since they were written, with Op. 131 probably leading the pack. Beethoven was said to consider it his own favorite, and Wagner was extravagant …

Mr. Geoff Nuttal of the St. Lawrence String Quartet at Stanford University died recently of Pancreatic Cancer. It was a shock to many of us who always enjoyed Nuttal’s leadership and great performances. Geoff Nuttal …

The Second Symphony by Rachmaninov is in four movements. The first movement begins with an extended slow-tempo introduction (Largo), opening with a motif that will appear in various forms throughout the work. The principal quick-tempo …