Category Archives: Music History

The word carol comes from the old French word carole, a circle dance accompanied by singers. Carols were very popular as dance songs during the 12 through 14th centuries. After that, their use expanded as songs sung during festivals.  Because they are … Continue reading →

The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed the score. The libretto is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” It was given its première at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. … Continue reading →

We “Ode To Joy” is the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth and last Symphony. The German composer spent seven years working on this symphony. He started the work in 1818 and finished in 1824. The symphony is one of the best known … Continue reading →