On This Day

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On This Day
25 October: Midori Was Born
Japanese-American violinist Midori has been described as a “visionary artist, activist and educator whose unique career has transcended traditional boundaries through her relentless drive to explore and build connections between music and the human experience.” An astounding child prodigy who
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On This Day
24 October: Tito Gobbi Was Born
The Italian baritone Tito Gobbi (1913-1984) was one of the great operatic figures of his time. Throughout his celebrated career, there were few who could match him as a singing actor, and he distinguished himself in a variety of roles.
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On This Day
21 October: Georg Solti Was Born
Sir Georg Solti was probably best known for his appearances with opera companies in Munich, Frankfurt, and London, and as a long-serving music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He was also famous for his exuberant and forceful podium personality,
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Charles Ives (1874-1954)
The Violin Sonatas
150 years ago, on 20 October 1874, the leading American composer of art music of the early 20th century, Charles Edward Ives, was born in Danbury, Connecticut. Ives was a unique figure as he remained an amateur throughout his mature,
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On This Day
18 October: Nelson Freire Was Born
He was called “the child with golden hands,” and Nelson José Pinto Freire grew up to become one of the greatest pianists of his generation. His brilliance of technique was matched by interpretive depth and “the cleanness of his musical
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Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
“I Tell My Piano the Things I Used to Tell You”
As we commemorate the passing of Frédéric Chopin on 17 October 1849, we are once again reminded that he was one of the greatest pianists the world has ever known. But what is more, Chopin also left the finest body
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On This Day
16 October: Dmitri Hvorostovsky Was Born
He was affectionately known as “Dima” to his family and closest friends, and he commanded the operatic stage with his smouldering good looks and one of the most distinctive voices of his time. Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s voice is intoxicated with luxury,
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Jaan Rääts (1932-2020)
“I Don’t Like Rigid Musical Systems”
Born on 15 October 1932 in Tartu, Jaan Rääts was one of the reformers of Estonian music. Rääts was part of a new generation of composers that brought Estonian music into the modern mainstream. Embracing the styles, philosophies and techniques
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