Strings and synth strings continue throughout the song, but more as pop accompaniment than to any classical end. It’s still easy to hear the “orchestra” in Electric Light Orchestra, but ...

In the century before all of this, thousands of protest songs—addressing everything from the Civil War to slavery to voting rights and environmentalism—were sung by thousands more.

The National Symphony Orchestra will supplement a performance of Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony tonight with 140-character notes from the conductor, sent to members of the audience via Twitter.

In 1825, while recuperating from a near-death experience, Beethoven composed one of the most profound pieces of music in Western history, writes Andrea Valentino.