CC Logo A Public Service of USC
Schedule
HostsWays to Give
Donate
Loading profile
HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsEventsOn DemandOur StoryOur TeamWays to Give Become a Sponsor
How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

Find Us on Social Media

CC Logo White Horizontal A Public Service of USC

Download Our Mobile App

Google Play Icon

About

HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsOn DemandOur StoryOur Team

Community

EventsWays to Give Become a SponsorPressDiversity StatementCareersKUSC EEO ReportKDFC EEO ReportDigital Accessibility

Help

How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

Find Us on Social Media

Sweepstakes RulesKUSC Local Public FilesKDFC Local Public FilesPrivacy PolicyCode of Integrity

©2026 Classical California

Violin Image

Music History

teresa-carreno-cameo-6x9-1.webp

10 Composers From Across Latin America We’re Celebrating This Month!

Explore the rich heritage of Hispanic music through these 10 influential composers, from Teresa Carreño to Gabriela Ortiz.

09/18/2026
tchaikovsky.jpg

How the 1812 Overture Became Music for the Fourth of July

Explore the history of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture's popularity in 4th of July celebrations, its association with fireworks, and its original context in this insightful blog.

06/30/2026
rachel-portman-6x9-1.jpg

Women Who Made (Musical) History

Celebrating Women's History Month with a look at influential women in classical music, from Hildegard Von Bingen to Dr. Lucy Jones, who broke barriers and made history.

03/07/2026
Saint-George_DEon_Robineau-9x6-1.png

How Does One of the Most Famous Composers of the Late 1700s Just Disappear from History?

Explore the life of Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a prominent 18th-century musician, fencer, and revolutionary, whose legacy was nearly lost to history.

02/18/2026
Eva_A_Jessye-9x6.jpg

Open Ears: Eva Jessye and the Harlem Renaissance

This article explores the life of Eva Jessye, a key figure in American music and the Harlem Renaissance, who made significant contributions to civil rights and classical music.

02/08/2026
beethoven.jpg

The Many Lives of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

01/25/2026
Celesta_Schiedmayer_mechanism_2.jpg

The Secret Story Behind Tchaikovsky’s Mysterious Celesta in “The Nutcracker”

Explore the history of the celesta, a unique instrument used in Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker and Harry Potter's theme. Discover how it went from obscurity to symphony staple.

12/29/2025

Shows

Violin Image

The Symphony

A symphony is like an enormous musical mural that wraps all the way around you. Each instrument plays its own colors and patterns until they all create something magnificent together.

America.jpg

Classical Americana

From jazz to bluegrass, from gospel to rock and roll - America has created so many kinds of music. Today we're taking a musical road trip across the country, starting with one of the most important American songs ever written.

Violin-1-e1523985338435.jpg

The Violin

Whether a particular violin is worth a fortune or not, its true value isn't in its price tag—it's in the way the violin whispers, soars, and tell stories that stir our souls.

RELATED TOPICS

Pop CultureArts Alive BlogThe State of the ArtsCultureChapman Challenge

MORE TO DISCOVER

Adobe-Stock-spooky-film-spider.jpg

A DIY Spooky Film Festival for Classical Fans

Explore 10 iconic horror films known for their classical music scores, including Jaws, Psycho, and The Shining. Discover where to stream or rent these spine-chilling classics.

10/27/2026
mariachi-wikimedia-16x9

Bridging Traditions: Mariachi and Classical Music

The intersection of Mexican popular music and Classical traditions

09/23/2026
GettyImages-1403195867.jpg

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Classical California | September 15 – October 15

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Classical California, exploring the impact of Latin American composers on classical music. Enjoy free streams, blogs, and videos all month long.

09/15/2026
Rachmaninoff + Fast Cars main (288 x 250 px)

Rachmaninoff + Fast Cars

Classical California's Brian Lauritzen lives vicariously through Rachmaninoff's obsession of driving fast cars fast.

09/09/2026
road-trip-classical-california-summer-coast-iStock-1145661962.jpg

A Playlist for Driving Along the Coast with the Top Down

Explore Alan Chapman's top music picks for a scenic drive, featuring works from Handel, Copland, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and Borodin. Perfect for every journey phase.

08/17/2026
Classical-California-Summer-oc-gonzalez-A-11N8ItHZo-unsplash-9x6-1.jpg

Deep Cuts for a Classical Summer

Explore lesser-known classical music pieces that celebrate summer, from composers like Copland, Zaimont, Delius, Mazzoli, Melartin, Prokofiev, Beach, Webern, and Still.

08/10/2026