Articles

3102 Posts
archive-post-image
Prodigy Problems
prodigy ˈprɒdɪdʒi/ noun noun: prodigy; plural noun: prodigies 1. a young person with exceptional qualities or abilities. “a Russian pianist who was a child prodigy in his day” synonyms: child genius, genius, wonder child, wunderkind
Read more
archive-post-image
Being a Musician Can Be a Pain in the Neck
After three decades of music making, teaching, and advocating for the arts, my career has been an inspirational calling. As a young musician, I understood the hard work and dedication, which would be required, but I wish someone had prepared
Read more
archive-post-image
Mendelssohn: The Hebrides Overture
Premiered Today in 1833
Described as one of the natural wonders of Scotland, Fingal’s Cave is located on the uninhabited island of Staffa, in the Inner Hebrides. Formed from hexagonally jointed basalt columns it became known as “Fingal’s Cave” after the hero of an
Read more
archive-post-image
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2
Premiered Today in 1857
In the world of classical music, Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was the perfect storm! Handsome and fiery, Liszt quickly realized that a musical performance was much more than merely pressing down the correct keys in the correct order. That meant paying
Read more
archive-post-image
Paralyzed by Imposter Syndrome? —When Will I Be Good enough?
No-one said becoming a musician is easy. It takes years of practice, discipline, and a unique personality—of humility, to convey the composer’s intention as best we can, and self-confidence, to walk onto the stage and play with panache. But no
Read more
archive-post-image
Picture studies: Rachmaninoff’s Études-Tableaux Op. 33
Rachmaninoff composed his Opus 33 Études-Tableaux between August and September of 1911, the year after he completed his Opus 32 Preludes, and while the Opus 33 shares some stylistic points with the Preludes, the pieces are very unlike them. Rachmaninoff
Read more
archive-post-image
Wagner: The Flying Dutchman
Premiered Today in 1843
Richard Wagner (1813-1883), not for the first or last time in his life, had to flee his creditors in 1839. His employment in Riga had left him and his wife Minna heavily in debt, and police officials had even impounded
Read more
archive-post-image
Consider This Before You Date a Musician
Musicians are a rare breed. I’m the first to admit life with me might be a bit challenging. Being a professional musician isn’t all fun and games. It’s not an avocation, nor a vocation it’s our way of life, our
Read more