Topic: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Maurice Sendak with the Wild Things, now (+video)

The beloved children's book author passed away at 83 after suffering a stroke.

Video game nation: Why so many play

A journey through the world of video games, which 183 million Americans play – 25 percent over age 50. What's behind the fascination?

You've heard Gioachino Rossini's music, even if you've never heard of him

Gioachino Rossini, the man behind today's frog-themed Google doodle, is perhaps the most famous composer that no one remembers. He may not have the name recognition of a Beethoven or Mozart, but Rossini was a major figure in your childhood – trust us. So, with his 220th birthday landing on Wednesday, here's a look at the five biggest moments when you've heard his music and possibly not realized it.

Whitney Houston: a singing sensation silenced too soon

Whitney Houston, who died tragically Saturday in Los Angeles, was a child of the African-American church and a trailblazer for black female singers. Whitney Houston, some say, had a 'once-in-a-generation' voice. 

After the revolution, arts bloom in Tunisia

As Tunisia's 'Jasmine Revolution' turns one, musicians find new venues, funds, and teachers -- along with official support.

Why play's the thing

While discipline and practice are crucial in life, we need play time to let creativity bloom, to imagine the impossible, to ask the 'what if' questions.

Julie Leven brings classical music to homeless shelters

Through Shelter Music Boston, Julie Leven brings live music to residents that feeds their souls and makes them feel 'elegant.'

Thirty ideas from people under 30: The Artisans

They are explorers and activists, artists and educators, farmers and faith leaders – even mayors. And they have trenchant suggestions on how to improve the world.

Rick Perry says there are too many debates. Is he right?

Well, yes. But not really. Rick Perry may well be right that, by historical measures, there are too many debates. But in this YouTube world, debates might be more crucial than ever.

Introverted talent in America, buried by the 'influence score'

Companies that analyze behavior on social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter, can assign users an 'influence score' that basically rates how extroverted they are. I fear that an employer, looking at a low score, would miss the next Larry Page, the introvert CEO of Google.

Mozart's town lures the avant-garde and classical

In an effort to attract younger people, an annual music festival in Mozart's town of Salzburg now also features avant-garde theater productions, very different from the classical performances it is known for.

Back to school: Doing right by the 'strivers'

In all the attention that is being paid to improving basic skills in American schools, the best and brightest students are too often overlooked. That's bad for them -- and worse for us.

Mozart's Sister: movie review

'Mozart's Sister' spins a tale about Mozart's talented older sibling that is ingenious and plodding at the same time.

Classics in technicolor

The piano and the musician: A blogger's musings on the instrument she loves

The piano is one of the most intimidating instruments in all its glory, intimidating to play, to study, to compose for, and to buy. It's also one of the most satisfying for this one musician.

Top Picks: Stevie Nicks, True Grit on DVD, Britain's brightest, and more

A new solo album by Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks, the Coen Brothers' 'True Grit' on DVD, brainy Brits, and more

Classical music festivals offer sumptuous summer entertainment

This year, the lineups for the standout classical music festivals around the country and the world are an exiting treat for classical enthusiasts. From California to New York to Salzburg, conductors like Esa-Pekka Salonen, Lorin Maazel, and Alan Gilbert will lead ensembles such as the Vienna Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic. 

Mick Jagger, Joss Stone part of new ‘Supergroup’

A source says the group has completed recording an album and video and is shopping the material around to various labels.

Sounding together at the Spring for Music festival

The now-annual Spring for Music festival is a place for orchestras to showcase their talent and inventiveness and was held at Carnegie Hall.

Why does contemporary classical music spurn melody?

Proponents of modern symphonic music cast unhappy audiences as unenlightened. But for most listeners, music elicits emotional rather than intellectual responses. Certainly, classical music should should challenge and evoke. It just shouldn't sound like bus crashes.

Genius

A poem.

El Sistema taps the power of classical music to help US children flourish

A Venezuelan poverty program brings its musical discipline to underprivileged youths in the United States.

The muse of murder mysteries turns out to be quite vocal

A retired college professor tries his hand at writing murder mysteries and finds the characters leading the way.

Aretha Franklin and Condoleezza Rice make soulful music together

Aretha Franklin and Condoleezza Rice got together to play a song or two for charity.