Blogs

archive-post-image
A Timbre Concerto
Ulysses Kay’s Concerto for Orchestra
American composer Ulysses Kay (1917–1995) studied with Paul Hindemith at Tanglewood and Yale and, following WWII, With Otto Leuning at Columbia. From 1946 to 1952, he was in Rome, having won the Prix de Rome not once but two times
Read more
archive-post-image
How Can I Be a Better Musician?
Ten Top Classical Musicians Share Their Tips
Over the years, we’ve had the honor of talking with many of the greatest musicians in classical music today. Today, we’re gathering some of their best advice for musicians in one article. If you ever find yourself stuck in a
Read more
archive-post-image
The Harmonious Boar
George Frideric Handel and Joseph Goupy
The German composer George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) worked in Britain and was good friends with the painter Joseph Goupy (1689–1759). In London, Handel lived a good life and was considered one of the great voluptuaries of the age, known for
Read more
archive-post-image
A New Water Music by Malcolm Arnold
Malcolm Arnold (1921–2006) was a master of the English light classics and wrote a great deal of his music for that ultimate British ensemble, the brass band, and he himself played the trumpet. In 1964, he was commissioned by the
Read more
archive-post-image
The Short Brilliant Life of the Pantheon
Opera in London in the 1790s was a cut-throat competition. Handel had abandoned Italian opera in 1741, and the quality began to fall. The high fees that singers such as the castrati Senesino and Farinelli and the soprano Cuzzoni commanded
Read more
archive-post-image
Classical Music for Spring
Twenty Pieces That Will Help You Celebrate the Season
Winter thaw giving way to the gentle warmth of spring is the perfect time to explore the sunnier side of classical music. Here are twenty classical pieces that capture the essence of the season. They’re guaranteed to add a spring
Read more
archive-post-image
Anna Pavlova
The Dying Swan
The Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova (1881-1931) was without doubt the most celebrated dancer of her time. Famed for her technical skills, expressiveness, and grace, she was the principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and, for a short time, the
Read more
archive-post-image
Cancelling the Cancel Culture: Top Trends of Classical Music in 2023
As the world becomes increasingly polarized, China stands in a unique and generous position where listeners are able to enjoy concerts given by musicians coming from conflicting, even rival political camps. This is probably the only place in the world
Read more