In classical music, the Romantic Era lasted from around 1810 to around 1910. That century gave us some of the most famous symphonies in the repertoire. Nineteenth-century composers like Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Dvořák, Schubert, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, and others elevated the symphony
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Henryk Wieniawski and Isabella Hampton
“Music May Melt the Heart of Stone” December 15th, 2021We all know that music may melt the heart of stone! And that was seemingly the case when Mr. Hampton heard the Légende by superstar violinist and composer Henryk Wieniawski (1835-1880). You see, Henryk had fallen in love with Isabella -
Mixing the Symphony and the Concerto: Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole December 15th, 2021 The 1870s were a time for Spanish, or Spanish-themed music, especially by French composers. Édouard Lalo’s Symphony espagnole was written in 1874 and a months after its February premiere, Bizet’s Carmen has its premiere at the Opera-Comique in Paris. Pablo -
What Should We Be Looking for in Chopin Competition?
A Promising Pianist or a Chopinist? December 14th, 2021This is a never-ending question that always sparks heated debate, which sometimes even the jury can’t come to an agreement. It was also why Fou Ts’ong protested against awarding the first prize to Stanislav Bunin by not signing the verdict -
On This Day
14 December: Schubert’s Symphony No. 6 Was Premiered December 14th, 2021During his short but highly productive career Franz Schubert worked on a total of thirteen symphonies. Three symphonic projects were abandoned in fragments, and three more left incomplete. The Symphony No. 7 in E major was fully sketched and fully -
The Fortunate Fisherman: Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sadko December 14th, 2021 One of Rimsky-Korsakov’s most beloved operas in Russia was Sadko, a tale of a musician-fisherman who makes good. This opera was given its premiere in 1896 and was staged in Moscow in 1898. The opera’s libretto was written by the -
Bach’s Greatest Chorale Hits
“Music Is an Agreeable Harmony for the Honour of God” December 13th, 2021The term “chorale” can be somewhat confusing. That’s not surprising, as the meaning is slightly different in German and in English usage. Let’s not get into the technical differences but simply say that a “chorale” is the congregational hymn of -
On This Day
13 December: Franz von Lenbach Was Born December 13th, 2021Franz von Lenbach (1836-1904) was one of the most accomplished portrait artists in German art of the 19th century. As one of the leading exponents of 19th century realism in Germany, he was the best-known and highest-paid portrait painter of -
Legacies December 12th, 2021 Death has been on our minds, collectively and individually, more than usual during this time of COVID. A number of famous people have died during the pandemic, though not necessarily as a direct result of it but merely due to