Mar 2nd, 2005 · It's easy to imagine the great composers living in a rarefied world, surrounded by their art and their admirers. But music commentator Miles Hoffman reminds us that Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart all had to make money -- and that wasn't always easy.
Dec 16th, 2004 · Musician and writer Miles Hoffman says the great composer, born 234 years ago this week in Bonn, Germany, is still revered for his forceful music -- and admired for writing a share of it after losing his hearing.
Nov 25th, 2004 · NPR's Renee Montagne talks to music commentator Miles Hoffman about classical music "turkeys." Even the best composers had their failures. Brahms was known to burn the pieces he didn't like, and the critics weren't always kind to the darlings of their day.
Sep 21st, 2004 · September marks the 350th anniversary of the first Jewish settlement in America. Music commentator Miles Hoffman says one way to celebrate is to listen to a new collection from the Milken Archive of American Jewish Music.
Jul 15th, 2004 · Bolero is perhaps best known from the 1979 movie 10 soundtrack. But Maurice Ravel didn't strictly have romance in mind when he composed the classic piece, music commentator Miles Hoffman says.
Jun 24th, 2004 · Music commentator Miles Hoffman, a nationally renowned violist, and NPR's Steve Inskeep visit the Library of Congress' small, priceless collection of Stradivarius instruments. Hoffman plays some of the rarest instruments in the collection, including a violin called the "Betts," crafted in 1704 by Antonio Stradivari.