We all know Bess’ song from Porgy and Bess: ‘Summertime, and the Livin’ is Easy’. We decided to do a survey of what other composers thought about summer and were surprised at the very different moods and modes composers used
Latest article
Spotlight
-
Cello Music by Women Composers VI
Price, Beamish, Higdon, and Larsen October 16th, 2021We are now delving into the 20th and 21st century with a few more outstanding women composers who wrote cello music. Florence Price (1887-1953), an American pianist, composer, organist, and teacher, is not only the first African American woman to -
On This Day
16 October: World Food Day October 16th, 2021On 16 October 1945, the United Nations founded the Food and Agriculture Organization. To commemorate this day, countries around the world annually celebrate World Food Day on 16 October. The FAO is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to achieving food security -
Bach and George Martin, the Fifth Beatle October 15th, 2021 The English rock band The Beatles, formed in Liverpool in 1960, is widely considered the most influential band of all time. Led by songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the band was part of 1960s counterculture and inspired an international fan frenzy -
In Touch With Pianist Brenda Lucas Ogdon October 14th, 2021 “Listening to other musicians gives me a lot of inspiration” Critically acclaimed British pianist Brenda Lucas Ogdon returns with her new album ‘Ravel que J’Aime’ (released 1 October 2021). The album marks only the most recent chapter of Brenda’s rich -
On This Day
14 October: Leonard Bernstein Died October 14th, 2021On 14 October 1990, five days after announcing his retirement from conducting, Leonard Bernstein died in his New York apartment at “The Dakota.” Bernstein had been ill for years as he suffered from emphysema, asthma attacks and bouts of bronchitis -
Forgotten Pianists: Monique de La Bruchollerie October 13th, 2021 Following the line from Franz Liszt, through his pupil Emil von Sauer, French pianist Monique de La Bruchollerie (1915-1972) was one of the great pianists of her day, which ended far too quickly. Her family was one of musicians, with -
Music in View: The Barnes Foundation October 12th, 2021 Albert C. Barnes made his money in pharmaceuticals, cashed out his company before the 1929 stock market crash, and ended up creating a unique personal collection of some of the best of the early 20th century French paintings. When the -
Baroque Composers
10 Greatest Masters of Baroque Music October 11th, 2021If I could take only one style of music to a deserted island it would have to be Baroque music. Music written during that period is full of drama and energy, and it can be very intimate or simply grandiose.