When looking to set a particular mood in a given moment, inevitably our thoughts turn to music. Whether it be Christmas Eve, church, or myriad other situations, there is always an identifiable “feel” to the ambiance we wish to create.

Music streaming services have made collections of mood music much easier to access, but what makes each of those pieces fit on that particular playlist? What is it about each piece that sends us signals of a particular mood? 

 Explore The Timbres of Winter with violinist and professor of music Dr. Rachelle Berthelsen Davis as she presents and discusses well-known classical music pieces composed to evoke a feeling of winter. Unpack the instrumentation and theory behind music as a mood-setting tool, and never listen to music the same way again.