THE MAGAZINE
The Killer History Can’t Escape: How a 300-year-old Outlaw Became an Internet Meme
A man with a pistol at his hip and a flash to his grin, appears in the streets of London, the smoky cabarets of Berlin, the jazz clubs of New York, the neon glow of late-night Los Angeles; and wherever he goes, there’s a song to his name. This is Macheath: From John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera in 1728 to the pixelated memes of the 2010s, his grin has survived, carrying with it a sharp edge of satire and mischief.
Minimalist Music: The Joy of Repetition
“Despite its name, minimalist music actually has a lot going on. Its repetitive nature may have earned it a reputation as monotonous and even boring, but learning how to listen to minimalism, and how to appreciate its complexity, has been one the most enriching musical experiences of my life – and it can be for you too, you only need to know what to listen for.” Find out how.
What is the Music of the Spheres?
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion (the backstory to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) opens with a creation myth in which a divine council forms the cosmos by singing it into existence. Mortals cannot hear this music, but it is still part of everything they are. Tolkien’s fantasy story is actually based on ancient ideas from our own world.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Just Went Live: TwoSet Violin and the Magic of Livestreamed Classical Performances
A performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major. Soloist: tick. Live audience: tick. Orchestra: None to be found. Concert venue: a nondescript room somewhere in Australia. In it are two musicians, a camera, microphone, and an admirable degree of ambition.
A Brief Introduction to the Wonderful World of Classical Saxophone
The saxophone. An iconic instrument, from pop culture’s epic sax guy and Lisa Simpson to jazz legends like John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. However, a parallel history exists of the saxophone as a classical instrument.
Gilles Rico, Stage Director: “I Consider Myself First and Foremost a Storyteller.”
Opera is not just about the music – it is also a spectacle, a theatrical performance that speaks as much to the eyes as to the ears. But who is responsible for the overall theatrical interpretation and look of a specific opera production? TWoA talked to Gilles Rico, a French stage director who has staged and assisted staging operas at prestigious opera houses across Europe.
The Secret World of Musical Spies
What kind of person makes a good spy? Nowadays, recruiters from agencies like the CIA or MI6 might look for people who can pass unnoticed in various cultures and who are smart enough to collect and transmit secret information. In Europe 450 years ago, spymasters were looking for people with those exact same qualities–and many professional musicians fit the bill.
Happy World Ice-Cream Day: Rachmaninoff’s Cherry Malted Milk Float
It’s world ice-cream day on July 20, 2025, which feels like the right time to celebrate one of history’s most unexpected sweet tooths: Sergei Rachmaninoff, and his favourite dessert, the cherry malted milk float.
Are Orchestras in Need of an Update?
Is the symphony orchestra a doomed relic—or is it simply overdue for reinvention? As classical institutions across the UK grapple with funding crises and dwindling audiences, ensembles like the Aurora Orchestra and Manchester Collective are challenging the old rules and reimagining what a concert can be. With more young people engaging with classical music than ever before, the future may lie not in clinging to tradition, but in breaking it—just as Leonard Bernstein suggested decades ago.
Encrypting Secret Messages in Music: Mercury, or, the Secret and Swift Messenger
Imagine that you are a musician in a royal European court in the 1600s–but you’re also a secret agent for a different government’s intelligence services. How will you transmit sensitive information to your contacts without getting caught? All you need is a musical cipher: a system for turning text into music. Find out more.
Grounds for Rebellion: Bach’s Coffee Cantata
“If I can’t drink my bowl of coffee three times daily, then in my torment I will shrivel up like a piece of roast goat.” Brewing up a storm, J. S. Bach’s “Coffee Cantata” - a tale of one woman’s undying love for coffee - reveals how cups of coffee became the center of bold feminist rebellion in 1730s Leipzig.
Lea Brückner, Violinist and Climate Activist: “You Can Drive Social Change Through Culture.”
Lea Brückner is a violinist, moderator and climate ambassador who has carved out a unique career for herself, combining her passion for music with her commitment to sustainability. TWoA talked to Lea about the role culture can play in the battle against climate change, and about the specific steps cultural organisations can take towards becoming more sustainable.
The Mathemagical Music of Michael Maier
If you’ve ever heard a piece of music and thought, “That’s magical!” you probably just meant that the music made you feel a sense of wonder. But what if sound actually had special powers? What if you could use music as a key for learning ancient secrets about the cosmos?