Playlist: The Rebels and Revolutionaries of Sound

In a stunning and innovative performance, piano maestro James Rhodes introduces today’s readers to seven of the greatest composers of all time.

Bach. Mozart. Beethoven. Old guys with curly wigs, right? But trust me: those composers were the original rock stars.

Open your mind to some of the most breathtaking and magnificent pieces of music ever created, and find out why the rebels and revolutionaries who wrote them are responsible for every track on your phone today. Discover their backstories and how each one shaped and defined classical music. Learn about the structure of an orchestra, the language of music, and the history of musical periods. With jaw-dropping artwork and avant-garde design, this visually exquisite celebration of classical music is a surefire hit for both first-time listeners and longtime fans. Budding aficionados will appreciate the online playlist featuring James Rhodes’s favorite selections.

James Rhodes is a best-selling author, TV presenter, and celebrated concert pianist dedicated to bringing classical music into the twenty-first century. His sell-out concerts at pop music venues, with no coats and tails in sight, are bringing classical music to new audiences worldwide. He is the first core classical pianist to be signed to Warner Bros. Records, the world’s largest rock label. Originally from London, he lives in Madrid.

Martin O’Neill is an artist and illustrator who creates unique handmade images using a vast collection of found ephemera and photography. He develops his images through a subtle alchemy of collage, silkscreen, and photocopies. A constantly moving array of processes and media fuel his practice, which includes writing and experimental filmmaking. Martin O’Neill lives in London.