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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- The One Who Got Away
The Story of Apollo and Daphne September 3rd, 2022The story of Apollo and Daphne is upsetting to the modern psyche. She is pursued and to escape her pursuer, would rather become non-human than acquiesce. Or, you can view it from a different angle: despite being the ideal god, -
What’s Better Than One Violin, Viola, and Cello? TWO! String Sextets September 3rd, 2022 The combination of two violins, two violas, and two cellos is a lush and almost orchestral sound. Most musicians I know relish the opportunity to play string sextets. Even so, these works are not played as often as other chamber -
Dance, Dance, Dance: The Pavan and Galliard September 2nd, 2022 We saw in the Baroque dance suite that the dances were in pairs: Allemande–Courente and then Sarabande–Gigue. Those dances had tempos of slow/fast and this continues with our next pair, the Pavane and Galliard. The Pavan came from Italy and -
Food and Meals as the Cue in Operas September 1st, 2022 Meals and food in operas can be dramatic turning points – let’s look at how they can help us understand the character more deeply or provide the push for the action. At the very end of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the -
Andrey Gugnin September 1st, 2022 Playing Is ‘Your Reflection Of Your Soul’ Andrey Gugnin Plays Chopin’s Sonata No. 3 Russian pianist Andrey Gugnin has toured all over the world, performing across Europe, America and Australia, and makes his Hong Kong debut on 16 September, giving - On This Day
1 September: Seiji Ozawa Was Born September 1st, 2022The iconic Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa is internationally known for his energetic conducting style and his advocacy of modern composers. He attributes his involved podium style to his first conducting teacher, Saito, and to the language barrier he feels he -
Composers and Poets: Walton and Sitwell August 31st, 2022 The musico-poetic work Façade: An Entertainment Called ‘the high priestess of 20th century poetry,’ English author Edith Sitwell used her experimental poetry to drive a dying form forward. Sitwell (1887-1964) filled her poetry with melody, new rhythms, and confusing private - On This Day
31 August: Itzhak Perlman Was Born August 31st, 2022Itzhak Perlman is one of the world’s most popular classical musicians. “Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, he is treasured by audiences throughout the world who respond not only to his remarkable artistry, but also
