In classical music, the Romantic Era lasted from around 1810 to around 1910. That century gave us some of the most famous symphonies in the repertoire. Nineteenth-century composers like Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Dvořák, Schubert, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, and others elevated the symphony
Latest article
Spotlight
-
On This Day
27 April (14 April): Alexander Scriabin Died April 27th, 2023By 1915, Alexander Scriabin was working on a gigantic multi-media project called Mysterium. It was intended for performance in the foothills of the Himalayas over a period of seven days. “Bells suspended from clouds would summon spectators. Sunrises would be -
Bizarre and Beautiful
Maurice Ravel’s L’Heure Espagnole April 26th, 2023A 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: -
On This Day
26 April: Nikolai Lugansky Was Born April 26th, 2023Nikolai Lugansky has been described as a “pianist of extraordinary depth and versatility, capable of great refinement and crystalline beauty.” According to critics, “he combines elegance and grace with powerful virtuosity, and represents a true incarnation of the Russian tradition -
Have You Got a Minute?
Spectacular Transcriptions of Chopin’s “Minute Waltz” April 24th, 2023Even 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 -
On This Day
23 April: Miloš Karadaglić Was Born April 23rd, 2023The classical guitarist Miloš Karadaglić, probably better known by his first name Miloš, was born on 23 April 1983 in the Southeastern European country of Montenegro. Growing up during the Balkan wars, Montenegro was spared from direct conflict and Miloš -
These Are the Most Popular Horowitz Videos on Youtube. Should They Be? April 23rd, 2023 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 -
Opening the House: Beethoven’s Die Weihe des Hauses April 23rd, 2023 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 -
Qigang Chen – Vast and Varied Musical Landscapes April 22nd, 2023 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