November, 2017

38 Posts
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The Music of Angels: World Harp Congress
What could be better than one harpist? —nine-hundred and fifty-seven harpists! Of all ages and backgrounds, they descended upon Hong Kong in July, to attend this years’ thirteenth World Harp Congress—the first time the congress has been held in Asia.
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Contrasting Old and New: Vanessa Wagner on La Dolce Volta
In her recent recording for La Dolce Volta, pianist Vanessa Wagner played a piano recital of the music of one 18th century and one early 19th century masters: W.A. Mozart (1756-1791) and Muzio Clementi (1752-1832). She played the recital on
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Ring Bells! Sing Songs!: The Musical I
The jubilant title of this series reflects so much of what we love about musicals: catchy songs, bright melodies, and great sounds all around. The history of the musical (musical comedy, musical play) begins with the first applications of music
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At the Center of the Musical Universe
Niccolò Paganini II
Niccolò Paganini had patiently confined his concert activities to Italy for almost 20 years before setting out to conquer various European capitals. Initially he appeared in Vienna and Franz Schubert excitedly reported, “We will never hear his like again!” He
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Give it a Rest
On leaving and returning to familiar repertoire
I’ve recommenced work on Schubert’s penultimate piano sonata (D 959 in A), following a few months’ hiatus due to family health issues, during which I was unable to give the music my full and proper attention. This sonata has become
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“Sing heavenly Muse”
Elisabeth von Herzogenberg and Johannes Brahms
Elisabeth von Stockhausen was born in Paris in 1847. Her father served as the Hanoverian ambassador, and had been a student of Chopin. In 1853 the family moved to Vienna, and Elisabeth took lessons from Julius Epstein, at that time
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Bach: Cantatas for bass
Ich habe genug , BWV 82 III. Aria Schlummert ein, ihr matten Augen From Bach: Cantatas for bass (2017) Released by Harmonia Mundi Bach: Ich habe genug , BWV 82 – III. Aria Schlummert ein, ihr matten AugenIn composing his
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A passion for the piano: Alistair McGowan
Acclaimed British impressionist, comic, actor, Satie fan and keen amateur pianist, Alistair McGowan shares his passion for the piano and reveals how he prepared for his debut recording.
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