Blogs

archive-post-image
Pianists and Their Composers: Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy is widely regarded as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, with his unique style and innovative harmonies setting a new standard in classical music. The piano played a central role in Debussy’s compositions, and
Read more
archive-post-image
Foreshadowing the Career
Rachmaninoff’s Morceau de Fantasie, Op. 3
At age 19, Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) wrote his Op. 3, Morceaux de Fantaisie, including as its second movement, the Prelude in C sharp minor that would haunt him for years. Even considering the fame of the Prelude, all of the
Read more
archive-post-image
Why the Metropolitan Opera in Cinemas is Not to Be Missed
Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier
Today my husband and I were treated to the most overwhelming experience: hearing and seeing Der Rosenkavalier the comic opera in three acts by Richard Strauss transmitted live on Saturday April 15, 2023. How fortunate that those of us who
Read more
archive-post-image
Bizarre and Beautiful
Maurice Ravel’s L’Heure Espagnole
A deceitful wife, an unsuspecting husband, three concealed suitors, and a room full of clocks: far from a simple farce, this one-hour comic opera is one of Ravel’s masterpieces. It was in 1911 that the world heard Ravel’s first opera:
Read more
archive-post-image
Have You Got a Minute?
Spectacular Transcriptions of Chopin’s “Minute Waltz”
Even people with no interest in classical music instantly recognized the famous “Minute Waltz” Op. 61, No. 1 by Frédéric Chopin. My mother, who never had any musical training, happily hums along as soon as she hears the first couple
Read more
archive-post-image
These Are the Most Popular Horowitz Videos on Youtube. Should They Be?
Vladimir Horowitz is possibly the greatest pianist of the twentieth century. His coolness and implacability onstage masked a bone-deep passion and sensitivity. Over the course of his career, he gave countless legendary performances. Today we’re looking at Youtube to see
Read more
archive-post-image
Opening the House: Beethoven’s Die Weihe des Hauses
For the re-opening of the Josefstadt Theatre in Vienna, a new work was commissioned from Beethoven. The theatre was founded in 1788 and had a remodel and rebuild in 1822, which is when they contacted Beethoven for a work. Die
Read more
archive-post-image
Qigang Chen – Vast and Varied Musical Landscapes
Based between Beijing and Paris, Qigang Chen’s music has been praised for achieving a ‘sustained dialogue between Chinese and Western classical and cultural traditions’ (The Guardian), drawing inspiration from both the music of his native China and the European classical
Read more