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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On This Day
26 September: George Gershwin Was Born September 26th, 2022George Gershwin thought of himself as “a modern romantic” but more than any other American composer of the period “his impact on the American musical scene is of social as well as musical significance.” The son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, born -
Opera Doctors – the 20th century, Part II September 25th, 2022 The character of Dr. Daniel Athanasius in Hans Pfiztner’s 1931 opera Das Herz returns us to the Faustian pacts we saw in the 19th century, however, this opera has a very different ending. Instead of being dragged down to hell, -
School Music Teachers: Ingenuity, Innovation, and Inspiration September 25th, 2022 Christian Li Plays Handel Halvorsen Violin and viola duo Once again, it’s back to school time and music teachers are preparing their classrooms with equipment and with innovation. You’d be surprised how many issues a music teacher encounters. Organizing the -
On This Day
25 September: Glenn Gould Was Born September 25th, 2022Nothing could possibly have prepared Florence Emma Gold and Russell Herbert Gold for the arrival of their son Glenn Herbert, born on 25 September 1932 in Toronto. Florence was a part-time voice teacher, and her maternal grandfather John Charles Holman -
King and Composer: Henry V of England September 24th, 2022 We know of Henry V through Shakespeare’s eponymous history play, telling of the events surrounding the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. We first met Henry V when he was plain Hal, bouncing around the play Henry IV, parts 1 and -
Music That Brings You Back Your Childhood Wonderland September 24th, 2022 My job as a piano teacher has given me many opportunities to work with children. For the most part, I always have a wonderful time with them. Children are born without knowing any rules and boundaries, and their imagination can -
On This Day
24 September: Andrzej Panufnik Was Born September 24th, 2022Andrzej Panufnik is considered one of the most important and original symphonic composers of the 2nd half of the 20th century. As he famously stated, “In all my works, I attempt to achieve a true balance between feeling and intellect, -
Granted an Audience by the Queen September 23rd, 2022 In May 2022, shortly before the Platinum Jubilee, I began to work on a story on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II considering it apt to look into HM’s connection with Chinese musicians, particularly those who had met her and had