In essence

1706 Posts
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Max Bruch and Clara Tuczek
“My Domain Is Vocal Music” During his long career as a teacher, conductor and composer Max Bruch (1838-1920) almost constantly moved among various musical posts in Germany. He found employment in Mannheim (1862–1864), Koblenz (1865–1867), Sondershausen (1867–1870), Berlin (1870–1872), and
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Ludwig van Beethoven and His Fellow Musicians II
Ludwig van B. and Franz Schubert resided in the same city for 31 years, but we don’t really have conclusive evidence that they ever met. We do know that they moved in different social circles, and that Schubert admired Beethoven
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The Neglected Bruch
“As time goes on most of my works will be more and more neglected” Max Bruch (1838-1929) is almost exclusively associated with his famed G-minor violin concerto. However, throughout his long and industrious musical career he composed well over 200
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Beethoven’s Lairs
“Klepperstalle 82”
Throughout the years 1808/09, Beethoven was restlessly moving from apartment to apartment. From October 1808 he resided at the home of Countess Erdödy at Krugerstrasse 1074, in March and April 1809 he took an apartment on the 2nd floor of
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Show me the Money
George Gershwin (1898-1937)
It has been said that the total royalties George Gershwin accrued from performances of “Summertime” from his opera Porgy and Bess are equivalent to the Argentine national debt. Whether there is any truth to that anecdote or not, Gershwin was
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Composers in the Court Room
Robert Schumann versus Friedrich Wieck
When it comes to lawsuits filed by composers, none is more famous than Robert Schumann’s petition for the right to marry his sweetheart Clara Wieck. The lovers had been kept apart for some time, and on 9 April 1839 Clara
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Guys, what WERE you Thinking!
Bigotry and Racism in Classical Music
One of my all-time favorite childhood snacks was a corn-wheat-potato concoction with a slightly spicy paprika seasoning. Produced by a Viennese snack manufacturer, this product was branded “Zigeuner Räder” (Gypsy Wheels), and it was simply delicious. Against the current backdrop
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Beethoven’s Lairs
“Kreuzgasse 35”
On 29 March 1795 Ludwig van Beethoven made his public debut in Vienna. Performing at a charity concert at the Burgtheater, Beethoven appeared as a composer as well as the featured virtuoso. He performed a piano concerto of his own,
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