"Brahms is difficult to understand and to play, " Mr. Bronfman, age 54, said with characteristic modesty last month, the morning after performing the Third Sonata and other works at a private event in this affluent beach community.

WSJ: The Importance of Second Chances | Yefim Bronfman | Cultural Conversation by David Mermelstein

Some things that seem characteristic of our media-saturated age turn out to have deep historical roots, while others that look permanent are actually quite recent.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Its characteristic features are the landforms shaped by the Ice Age: glacial ridges, pine and lichen-clad heaths, kettle holes and small ponds filled with crystal clear water.

UNESCO: NATURAL SCIENCES

There are no characteristics in terms of age, sex, social or cultural background -- the only characteristic is to live relatively close to the area where the projects are carried out, in Paris.

CNN: Bone people: The explorers of the Parisian catacombs