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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Frédéric Chopin
Looking for Sex in Public Toilets March 26th, 2022Every week tabloid journalism reports “true stories” on celebrities, entertainment, alien abductions or people doing unspeakable things to themselves or others. Granted, the divide between professional journalistic standards and reporting stepped in sensationalism, which encourages biased or emotionally loaded impressions, -
On This Day
26 March: Pierre Boulez Was Born March 26th, 2022Probably the most important 20th century French composer of the avant-garde, Pierre Boulez was born on 26 March 1925 in Montbrison, a small town in the Loire department to Léon and Marcelle (née Calabre) Boulez. He tirelessly worked on behalf -
Why Rachmaninoff Wrote So Much Music in Minor Keys March 25th, 2022 You have to hand it to composer Sergei Rachmaninoff—his three symphonies, the Symphonic Dances, four piano concertos, and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini are all written in minor keys. Other favorites, perhaps less frequently performed, are also in -
On This Day
25 March: Claude Debussy Died March 25th, 2022As German troops bombarded the city of Paris, Claude Debussy died in 25 March 1918. The chaotic situation did no permit a public funeral, but a lonely funeral cortège nevertheless made its way through deserted streets, passing the Tuileries, and -
Leading Greatness Forward
An Interview With Naomi Belshaw March 24th, 2022Naomi Belshaw came to her new role with an ideal background: she’s worked at the Performing Rights Society, she’s been a PR person for contemporary music, and is experienced in all those areas necessary in the contemporary arts scene: funding, -
Classical Music Moments in Movies III March 23rd, 2022 Ever since sound was first coupled with moving images at the turn of the 20th century, classical music has played an important role. In fact, the new film medium provided the avenue for Western classical music to reach people from -
Ukrainian Struggles for Identity March 21st, 2022 “Music is a splendid lawless land where no one can give orders” The Ukrainian region suffered considerable political instability and oppression during the early 20th century. In fact, Ukrainians entered World War I on the side of both the Central -
On This Day
21 March: Johann Sebastian Bach Was Born March 21st, 2022On 21 March, I always celebrate the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach by listening to as many of his compositions as possible. Basically, it’s Seb overdose for an entire day, and I simply can’t get enough. As you might have