PianoLIT Blog

Stories, ideas, and discoveries from the world of piano.
A little inspiration for wherever music takes you.

Music history

Showing 1–12 of 18 stories

5 min read

Playing Puccini: The Humming Chorus Transcribed for Piano

A closer look at Puccini’s Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly—a moment of stillness, longing, and fragile hope. This post explores the scene’s emotional weight, musical simplicity, and a rare piano transcription by Puccini’s friend.

Pop culture
Music history
Composers
Piano

Jun 19, 2025

6 min read

Who Was Thomas Wiggins? The Untold Story of a Slave, a Prodigy, and a Composer

Thomas Wiggins, a blind prodigy born into slavery in Georgia during the Civil War era, was never acknowledged as a true composer. It’s time to rediscover his music and honor his legacy.

Repertoire
Music history
Composers

Feb 7, 2023

5 min read

The untold secret of the Moonlight Sonata

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata is undoubtedly one of the most famous classical piano pieces of all time, and yet it may well be among the most misunderstood.

Repertoire
Music history
Composers

Mar 23, 2021

17 min read

Piano pieces by Black Composers

Let's take a quick look at some of the most influential black composers, their inspiring stories, and incredible music.

Repertoire
Music history
Composers

Feb 10, 2021

14 min read

Core piano repertoire that every pianist should know

The piano repertoire is vast, but there are some pieces that every pianist, regardless of the level, should absolutely know. Here's the list.

Music history
Composers
Piano

Sep 11, 2020

8 min read

The Romantic period in a nutshell

A quick glance at the Romantic period in music, with a special focus on the role of piano and the compositions that characterized this time in history.

Music history
Composers
Piano

Jul 31, 2020

8 min read

I will close now. It is growing dark...

In February 1854, Robert Schumann attempted suicide by jumping off a bridge over the Rhine river. The following is an account of this tragic event and the final years of one of the greatest composers of all time.

Music history
Composers

Jun 7, 2020

5 min read

Tchaikovsky vs Brahms: a story of music and rivalry

Both composers, ironically born on the same day May 7th, never missed a chance to express their disdain for each other's music. Let's have a look at some of what they had to say!

Music history
Composers

May 7, 2020

3 min read

4 famous classical piano pieces composed by teenagers

Did you know that a few master piano pieces we know today were actually written when the composers were in their teens? It shows that maturity and emotional depth don't necessarily depend on age. You might be in for quite a surprise...

Music history
Composers
Piano

Jan 6, 2020

19 min read

The 10 most famous piano makers of our time

Let's take a quick look at the history and facts about the 10 most famous pianos brands and manufacturers: Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Bösendorfer, Fazioli, Kawai, Bechstein, Baldwin, Blüthner, Mason & Hamlin, and Stuart & Sons.

Instruments
Music history
Piano

Sep 11, 2019

11 min read

Save me the waltz

A deep dive into one of the most famous musical genres of all, the waltz. Based on a dance with the same name, waltzes are deeply rooted in western culture with some celebrated pop examples.

Pop culture
Music history
Composers

Aug 31, 2019

12 min read

The inflicting art of criticism

Most classical composers are now recognized as true geniuses, whom no one would dare criticize. But when they were alive that was a whole different story. Let's take a look at some of classical music's worst reviews.

Music history
Composers

Aug 1, 2019

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