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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Leonard Bernstein: Seven Anniversaries (1942-3) November 19th, 2022 Over the course of 40 years, Leonard Bernstein crafted a series of short compositions to honor close friends, relatives, family members, and professional colleagues. He started writing his “Anniversaries” in the 1940s and composed the last group in 1988, two -
Musicians and Artists: Dürer’s Apocalypse and Four Composers November 18th, 2022 In 1498, in response to the announcement of the end of the world that the European Christian world believed would happen in 1500, the 27-year-old Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) completed his sixteen designs for the Apokalyse (Apocalypse). Dürer was born in -
On This Day
18 November: Andris Nelsons Was Born November 18th, 2022As a child, Andris Nelsons desperately wanted to become a football player. However, he soon got interested in playing the piano, the trumpet, and singing before turning his attention towards conducting. Nelsons was born in the Latvian capital Riga on -
Auguste Rodin
“I Invent Nothing, I Rediscover” November 16th, 2022One might argue that Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) is perhaps the most exhibited and collected sculptor in the world. His sumptuous bronze and marble figures, including the highly lauded “The Thinker” and “The Kiss,” are masterpieces by what some critics consider -
Menotti’s Double Bill: Silly Meets Spine-Chilling in Fun Opera Production November 16th, 2022 Menotti’s chamber operas get uncomplicated but fun treatment by new opera company Tutti Double bill: The Telephone and The Medium Tutti Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre 3,4 November 2022 Menotti was an Italian-American composer well-known in the 1940s and 50s -
The Animal Orchestra
CCOHK: WILD (The Musical) November 15th, 2022We’ve seen a number of interesting responses to keeping ensemble vocal music alive during the COVID epidemic – Michael Ching’s Zoom Speed Dating Tonight! being one of them. The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong (CCOHK), which has, like most -
On This Day
15 November: Daniel Barenboim Was Born November 15th, 2022Daniel Barenboim’s early pianistic career produced performances distinguished by flexibility, spontaneity, and quick sensitivity. As a conductor, in both the operatic and orchestral repertories, he places the emphasis on freedom of expression, allowing for frequent changes in tempo and careful -
Chamber Music
The 10 Most Beautiful Piano Trios November 14th, 2022I have never really played in a chamber music group, but if I had the chance, I would probably try to find a piano trio. It is not only one of the most popular ensembles in chamber music, but it