The love story between Robert and Clara Schumann is often regarded as one of the most romantic in classical music history. Happily for historians, many of their love letters survive. They document their inner thoughts and emotions, as well as
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The Music of Poetry
Songs of Franz Liszt to Poetry by Victor Hugo December 25th, 2022It is not commonly known that Franz Liszt composed well over eighty songs in German, French, Italian, Hungarian, Russian, and English. While his settings of German poetry predominate, “his songs in French are among the most significant works, especially those -
Bach in 19th-Century France: Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël (Christmas Oratorio) December 24th, 2022 Starting with a bow to the great master, Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921) opened his 1858 Oratorio de Noël (Christmas Oratorio) with an organ prelude ‘in the style of J.S. Bach’. Written in 1858, the work was recognized in its time for -
Nicknamed Compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart December 24th, 2022 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Serenade No. 13 in G major, K. 524 “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” In the wonderful and whacky world of musical nicknames, there is nothing more famous than “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This “Little Night Music” -
On This Day
23 December: Edita Gruberova Was Born December 23rd, 2022Edita Gruberova, the eternal high priestess of “bel canto” is simply a legend. Sporting perfect intonation, ornamentation, and clarity in tone and diction, her vocal agility, dramatic power, and endurance are unsurpassed. And we may add an engaging stage personality -
Carol of the Bells by Mykola Leontovych: History and Recordings December 23rd, 2022 The beautiful Christmas song Carol of the Bells is just over a century old. The music, based on a Ukrainian folk chant, Shchedryk (The Generous One), was written by Mykola Leontovych. The original lyrics tell of a swallow flying into -
Classical Divinities: Why Are Some Composers Placed on a Pedestal? December 22nd, 2022 Why is it that some composers are placed on a pedestal, high above their peers; that one might consider Beethoven, Mozart, or Bach, for instance, to be above? And furthermore, why does it provoke such strong reactions when one dares -
Two Famous Christmas Chants
“Viderunt omnes” and “Dies sanctificatus” December 21st, 2022The history of Christmas makes fascinating reading. Christmas, as we know, is the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. For the most part, it is observed on December 25, but as with a good many other religious holidays, -
On This Day
21 December: András Schiff Was Born December 21st, 2022The philosophical argument titled the “lottery of birth” avers, “no one chooses the circumstances into which they are born.” Essentially, we do not choose to exist and we are faced with a world that we played no part in creating.