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Celebrating Johann Sebastian Bach Twice
Two Birthdays, Fifteen Inventions
Did you know that Johann Sebastian Bach actually has two birthdays? I think that’s just wonderful, as it gives us the opportunity to celebrate the music of the greatest of all composers twice. There is an explanation, of course. When
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Be Quiet and Applaud in the Right Places: Exploring Classical Concert Etiquette Part I
Sit still, phones off, listen quietly, and no clapping between movements – curious about how our norms of concert-going developed, and the deeper meaning behind them? Look no further! Gabriel Fauré: 3 Songs, Op. 7: No. 1. Après un rêve
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Yunchan Lim (Born on March 20, 2004)
Toxic Education Fever
When Yunchan Lim became the youngest person ever to win a gold medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at the age of 18, he instantly gained superstar status. His Rachmaninoff performance at the Cliburn received millions of views
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Move Over, Mozart: 8 Astonishing Classical Era Child Prodigies
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart may be the most famous musical child prodigy of the Classical Era, but he was by no means the only one. Today, we’re looking at other musicians from Mozart’s lifetime who were also celebrated child prodigies. Many
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How the Women in Mendelssohn’s Family Changed Classical Music Forever
Felix Mendelssohn is often credited as the man who popularised Johann Sebastian Bach. Although he mounted important performances of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, leading to a Bach revival, Felix was not the only member of his family who made this
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Around the World With Contemporary Music
I consider myself a fortunate man, because I often get what I wish for. When “dream come true” serves merely as a polite greeting for others, it somehow works for me: though only in matters of location rather than romance.
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How Did Chopin Influence These Eight Great Composers?
Frédéric Chopin is one of the most influential composers in classical music history. Best known for his piano works – especially his nocturnes, mazurkas, polonaises, waltzes, and preludes – Chopin transformed the piano into a vehicle for searing lyricism and
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Nobuko Imai (Born on March 18, 1943) and the Hindemith Viola Sonatas
Comparing the Greats
Born in Tokyo on 18 March 1943, Nobuko Imai initially studied the violin but, after hearing Joseph de Pasquale at the Tanglewood Festival, she decided to take up the viola. Graduate studies brought her to Yale and Juilliard, and she
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