WQXR Features
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Why is ‘The Four Seasons’ Such a Pop Culture Powerhouse?
And how did we come to rediscover Vivaldi in the first place? Jan 24, 2019
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How Did the Tritone Get Such a Devilish Reputation?
The tritone is a fascinating interval... but where did that "devil" business come from? Oct 26, 2018
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Why Do We Hold onto the Idea That Classical Music Makes You Smarter?
The “Mozart effect” theory took hold in the mid-90s, and though it’s been debunked, it’s never really gone away. Oct 24, 2018
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Every A+ Violin Needs an ‘F’: Why the Instrument Has Those Distinctive Sound Holes
Many string instruments have those distinctive f-holes, but how did they get that shape, and are they even necessary? Aug 7, 2018
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How "Nessun Dorma" Became a Pop Culture Hit
The BBC’s usage of the Turandot aria during the 1990 World Cup took it from the opera house to musical mainstay. Jun 26, 2018
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What’s Up With All Those Ricola Cough Drops At Carnegie Hall?
Outside Isaac Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall has boxes filled with loads of Ricola cough drops. Why are they there? Jun 6, 2018
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Why Is the Viola the Butt of So Many Jokes?
Musician or not, you've probably heard a viola diss. But why is this particular instrument always on the receiving end of these jokes? May 24, 2018
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The Trombone's Wild Path to the Orchestra
Trombones, in some form or another, have been around for centuries. But they're a relatively recent addition to the standard orchestra. May 1, 2018
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What's the Deal with Do Re Mi? The Story of Solfège
That seven note pattern Maria von Trapp sang wasn't an arbitrary creation. Learn about the medieval origins of "do," "re" and "mi," and their syllabic siblings. Mar 30, 2018
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Why Did We Learn to Play the Recorder in School?
Of all the instruments to choose, why do we hand kids the shrill-voiced recorder? Mar 8, 2018
