Blogs

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When Is a Sold Out Concert Not a Sold Out Concert?
Answer:When it’s a socially-distanced concert I’ve been guilty of it myself, proudly trumpeting “this concert is now sold out!” for the events I have been promoting last year in September and October (I work for a London-based arts organisation and
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What Might 2021 Bring for Classical Music?
2020 was the year of silent concert halls and shuttered opera houses and theatres. Yet the music played on, as musicians, ensembles, orchestras and venues were determined to continue to offer performances via livestreams and video casts, and, when possible,
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The MAYA Principle
Raymond Loewy is a famous industrial designer, responsible for some of the most famous designs of the 21st century; the Coca-Cola bottle, the Shell Oil logo, the US Postal Service logo etc. His approach to design is well-known under the
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Khatia Buniatishvili
“Beyond the Eccentricity of Planet Pogorelich”
One of the most visually glittering pianists today, Khatia Buniatishvili steadily appears on television sets, front covers of glossy magazines and every imaginable social media outlet. She certainly attracts attention; on the cover of a recent Schubert release, Khatia takes
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When Cellists Play in the Strangest Places and Other Adventures
We play the loveliest of instruments with its golden tones and heartrending melodies, but, its wide appeal has caused endless adventures. I can remember being asked to pose with my cello in boxer shorts; playing a recital on a stage
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4 Top Tips for Slow Practice
Ever watched a piano virtuoso flying around the keyboard at breakneck speed, or an ensemble ripping through John Adams’ frantic Chamber Symphony? One of the things that these have in common is the preparation needed to reach such dazzling speeds:
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On My Music Desk……
Samuel Barber – Excursions
Excursions, Op. 20 is American composer Samuel Barber’s first published piece for solo piano, and remains one of his most popular pieces for the instrument. A neo-Romantic composer whose style was characterised by lyricism and expression, Barber takes small classical
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Lang Lang’s Goldberg Variations – Original or Sacrilegious?
Bach’s Goldberg Variations have long been regarded as “a musical Everest”. As soon as Lang Lang’s recording was issued by Deutsche Grammophon, it instantly attracted attention from classical music aficionados worldwide and very polarised reviews from music critics – from
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