Classical Music | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/classical-music/RSS feed for Classical MusicenFri, 30 Jan 2026 15:59:01 +0000Ten of the Most Exciting Ways to Commemorate America's 250th This Yearhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/ten-of-the-most-exciting-ways-to-commemorate-americas-250th-this-year-180988106/Our country’s birthday bash includes exhibitions, historical reenactments, a massive potluck and moreFri, 30 Jan 2026 15:59:01 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/ten-of-the-most-exciting-ways-to-commemorate-americas-250th-this-year-180988106/Why Gen Z Is Trading Night Clubs for Japanese-Style Listening Barshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/why-gen-z-is-trading-night-clubs-for-japanese-style-listening-bars-180988044/Dark rooms filled with soft leather sofas and curated vinyl are popping up across the United States and the worldThu, 22 Jan 2026 15:44:01 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/why-gen-z-is-trading-night-clubs-for-japanese-style-listening-bars-180988044/These Bach Compositions Were Lost to History. They Were Just Performed for the First Time in 300 Years—and You Can Listen to Themhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-bach-compositions-were-lost-to-history-they-were-just-performed-for-the-first-time-in-300-years-and-you-can-listen-to-them-180987727/After discovering the two pieces in the 1990s, researchers have finally concluded that they were created by the famous German composer. An organist performed them for audiences on November 17Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:05:55 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-bach-compositions-were-lost-to-history-they-were-just-performed-for-the-first-time-in-300-years-and-you-can-listen-to-them-180987727/In an Experimental Composition, 50 Pianos Tuned to Slightly Different Frequencies Play Togetherhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-an-experimental-composition-50-pianos-tuned-to-slightly-different-frequencies-play-together-180987442/Audience members are surrounded by a ring of dozens of pianos in "11,000 Strings"Fri, 03 Oct 2025 20:45:59 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-an-experimental-composition-50-pianos-tuned-to-slightly-different-frequencies-play-together-180987442/John Williams, the Famous Composer Known for 'Jaws' and 'Star Wars,' Debuts First Piano Concerto at Age 93https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/john-williams-the-famous-composer-known-for-jaws-and-star-wars-debuts-first-piano-concerto-at-age-93-180987104/The renowned composer has scored many of the most famous films of our time. But until this summer, he had never attempted a concerto for pianoTue, 05 Aug 2025 15:46:29 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/john-williams-the-famous-composer-known-for-jaws-and-star-wars-debuts-first-piano-concerto-at-age-93-180987104/This Storied Stradivarius Violin Made in 1714 Just Sold for Over $11 Million at Auctionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-storied-stradivarius-violin-made-in-1714-just-sold-for-over-11-million-at-auction-180986029/The instrument was owned by a notable 19th-century Hungarian violinistMon, 10 Feb 2025 19:45:28 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-storied-stradivarius-violin-made-in-1714-just-sold-for-over-11-million-at-auction-180986029/One of the Oldest Surviving Operas by a Black American Composer Will Be Performed for the First Time—138 Years After It Was Writtenhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/one-of-the-oldest-surviving-operas-by-a-black-american-composer-will-be-performed-for-the-first-time-138-years-after-it-was-written-180985943/Edmond Dédé's 1887 magnum opus "Morgiane"—billed as "the most important opera never heard"—will finally get its premiere after languishing in obscurity for more than a centuryFri, 31 Jan 2025 14:24:30 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/one-of-the-oldest-surviving-operas-by-a-black-american-composer-will-be-performed-for-the-first-time-138-years-after-it-was-written-180985943/Happy Public Domain Day! Popeye, 'Rhapsody in Blue,' 'The Sound and the Fury' and Thousands of Other Captivating Creations Are Finally Free for Everyone to Usehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/happy-public-domain-day-popeye-rhapsody-in-blue-the-sound-and-the-fury-and-thousands-of-other-captivating-creations-are-finally-free-for-everyone-to-use-180985744/On January 1, 2025, copyrights will expire for books, films, comic strips, musical compositions and other creative works from 1929, as well as sound recordings from 1924Mon, 30 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/happy-public-domain-day-popeye-rhapsody-in-blue-the-sound-and-the-fury-and-thousands-of-other-captivating-creations-are-finally-free-for-everyone-to-use-180985744/This 300-Year-Old Stradivarius Violin Could Become the Most Expensive Musical Instrument Ever Sold at Auctionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-300-year-old-stradivarius-violin-could-become-the-most-expensive-musical-instrument-ever-sold-at-auction-180985599/Crafted by the renowned violin maker Antonio Stradivari in 1714, the rare instrument is expected to sell for between $12 million and $18 millionFri, 06 Dec 2024 18:09:39 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-300-year-old-stradivarius-violin-could-become-the-most-expensive-musical-instrument-ever-sold-at-auction-180985599/You Can Listen to a Lost Chopin Waltz That Hasn't Been Heard for Nearly Two Centurieshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/you-can-listen-to-a-lost-chopin-waltz-that-hasnt-been-heard-for-nearly-two-centuries-180985363/The one-minute composition, which dates to the 1830s, was found on a piece of paper about the size of an index card at a museum in New York CityThu, 31 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/you-can-listen-to-a-lost-chopin-waltz-that-hasnt-been-heard-for-nearly-two-centuries-180985363/