A Sincere and Serious Pianist There is a certain seriousness about Russian musicians. I remember talking to Valery Gergiev once after his rehearsal with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; every note, for him, is about life and death. In fact, this

Part-time Composer Julius Harrison: Viola Sonata in C minor Traditionally, composers had a rather difficult time to earn a living practicing their art. A good many of them had to take a day job to actually make a living. Gustav

An intelligent violinist Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24, “Spring” With Cédric Tiberghien Bach Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor, BWV 1060 With Alexei Ogrintchouk and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra Once shared the stage

From the Diary of a Hermit At one time or another, Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888) was mentioned in the same breath with Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt and even compared with Hector Berlioz. Not only was Alkan — he was born

Classical or jazz? That is the question – Quatuor Ébène ‘We are so jetlag!’ said Mathieu Herzog, viola player from Quatuor Ébène. Great, I thought. In front of me were four handsome Frenchmen, who studied extensively with the Ysaye Quartet

The Curse of Promotion Felix Draeseke, Clarinet Sonata in B flat major, Op. 38 Felix Draeseke, Symphonia Tragica, Op. 40 Music is a fickle business! Having exceptional musical talents, composing a first work at age nine followed by an extensive

The New York Post once claimed that ‘the tall, slender Lindstrom wielded the icy glamour of a 30s film star, working the trains and veils of her elaborate costumes with the panache of a runway model’. About six feet tall,

Curious Matters of the Heart André Ernest Modeste GrétryString Quartet in D major, Op. 3, No. 4 Zemire et Azor: Air de Ballet It is hardly uncommon for relatives and friends — generally called heirs — to squabble over the