Specific cities have inspired a huge amount of classical music over the years. Today, we’re looking at a selection of classical works explicitly connected to major cities, examining how each composer responded to each place. Some pieces reflect civic pride
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Show me the Money
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) December 17th, 2022Haydn was rich, but he wasn’t born wealthy… He did come from humble origins, but for his gentrified English audience Joseph Haydn was an accomplished composer, businessman, and gentleman. Yet, his early years of poverty and struggles during his years -
Christmas Piano Music December 17th, 2022 With Christmas just around the corner, here is a selection of festive piano music to bring good cheer and warmth, peace and joy. J.S. Bach: Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (arr. Myra Hess) Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is the -
Food for Thought
Mealtime with Frédéric Chopin December 16th, 2022Frédéric Chopin had a love affair with food. On a trip to the town of Toruń, the 15-year-old composer goes to great length to describe the local food specialty. Although he visited the famed Copernicus museum and various fortified building, -
On This Day
16 December: Zoltán Kodály Was Born December 16th, 2022Zoltán Kodály was born in the Hungarian city of Kecskemét on 16 December 1882. His father worked for the railroad, having risen to the rank of stationmaster by 1883. He was described as “a plump, reticent man of medium height, -
Guitar 101: Explore the Essential Classical Music Repertoire December 15th, 2022 The guitar is one of the most, if not the most, famous musical instrument in the world. It is used in all nations, in one form or the other — acoustic, electric, nylon, or steel strings, through different shapes and -
Review: Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda December 15th, 2022 Blood, sex and sceptres: two queens battle it out in Maria Stuarda Maria Stuarda (Donizetti) MusicaVivaHong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall9,10, 11 Dec 2022 An opera in two acts, Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda (1835) is about two queens, Mary Stuart and -
Medieval Animal Musicians: Bears December 14th, 2022 Hidden in the decoration of medieval books are many different kinds of illustrations – some of them show people doing everyday things, others show animals doing everyday human things. And then, in some special ones, we see animals playing musical -
On This Day
14 December: C.P.E. Bach Died December 14th, 2022On 2 November 1788, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach wrote to a friend, “Since 18 September I have been very ill with gout and other ailments. Now my health is beginning to improve.” However, this period of improvement was short-lived, as