On This Day

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Claudio Monteverdi (Born on May 9, 1567): Vespers
Music, Drama, and Ambition in 1610
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) was the most important musician in late 16th and early 17th-century Italy, and the first great composer of opera. He developed powerful ways of expressing and structuring musical drama, and he is frequently hailed as the “creator
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Barbara Hannigan (Born May 8, 1971): Soprano, Conductor, Double Star
Combining top skills as a soprano specialising in contemporary music and as a conductor who also sings from the podium, Canadian musician Barbara Hannigan is changing our idea of what can be accomplished on a concert stage. In her speech
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Chamber Music by Johannes Brahms (Born on May 7, 1833)
The Art of Structured Emotion
Johannes Brahms is one of the most widely performed and beloved composers of all time. In the history of music, he stands alongside Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven as one of the shining testaments to human inspiration and
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Nathalie Stutzmann (Born on May 6, 1965): “Winterreise”
A Cycle in Contralto Colours
Only the second woman in history to lead a major American orchestra, Nathalie Stutzmann is currently the Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. In fact, she has extended her tenure through the 2028-2029 season. In addition, she will become
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Cédric Tiberghien (Born on May 5, 1975)
Musical Partnerships
Cédric Tiberghien, born on 5 May 1975, achieved his international breakthrough in 1998 when he won the First Grand Prize and five special prizes at the Long-Thibaud-Crespin Competition. Since then, he has engaged in a truly international career, and he
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Antonín Dvořák (Died on May 1, 1904): Symphonic Poems
Witches, Goblins, and Glory
I am sure that everybody knows at least a couple of symphonies by Antonín Dvořák. In all, he composed nine such pieces, with the “Symphony from the New World” probably the most famous. All of his symphonies are wonderfully warm
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Vadim Chaimovich (Born on April 29, 1978)
The Algorithmic Pianist
Vadim Chaimovich, born on 29 April 1978 in Vilnius, Lithuania, has jumped to YouTube stardom with millions of clicks. His digital stardom, amplified by his remarkable social media fame, is positioning him as an ambassador of classical music for modern
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Facing Alexander Scriabin (Died on April 27, 1915)
A Guide to His Piano Sonatas
In all my years of playing the piano, there is only one composer whose music I consider terrifying. And that composer is Alexander Scriabin. In his early sonatas, there are still gestures to hold on to, but as you move
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