How does the west's fascination with the wider Arab world come across in music? We look at a few examples ...

Wherein we challenge you to think past 'Waterloo' and 'Mamma mia' ...

From Bizet to Ravel, we look at the long-standing fascination of French composers for the music of Spain.

Where do Louise Farrenc and Cécile Chaminade fit into France's rich history of female composers?

Why is Mozart's Violin Concerto No 5 known as the Turkish ... and is it warranted?

Now seen as the epitome of elegance, the waltz was once thoroughly anti-establishment ...

How Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) rediscovered her musical heritage in the 19th century.

Another dive into SCO history as we interview the composer about her work The Seasons and her association with the Orchestra.

A tale of mutual appreciation

It's the 19th century and musical retellings of Greek myths are out. Enter the European folk tale ...