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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The Lost Child: Bridge’s Lament June 9th, 2021 The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German U-Boat on 7 May 1915 off the coast of Ireland, leaving over 1,100 dead. The US had not yet entered WWI but was an active part of the supply -
Theodor Leschetizky June 8th, 2021 “No life without art, no art without life” Theodor Leschetizky (1830–1915) is one of the most illustrious and supremely towering figures in the history of the piano. In fact, his student Annette Hullah suggested that Leschetizky “was the best piano -
The Best Performances
“Nessun dorma” by Giacomo Puccini June 7th, 2021Talk about a strange story. Calaf is one of three suitors for the hand of the prickly Princess Turandot. Her suitors must solve three riddles, with any single wrong answer resulting in execution. Calaf manages to solve all three riddles -
Impressionism, a Three-Part Series: In Europe June 7th, 2021 The following article is the second of a three-part series on impressionism around the world; in France, in Europe and in our Modern World. In these articles, I explore the genre of impressionism. Born in France, it is known to -
The Music of Poetry
Friedrich Hebbel: “Ich und Du” June 6th, 2021The poet and dramatist Friedrich Hebbel (1813-1863) grew up in abject poverty and struggled with severe health issues throughout his life. From personal experience and meticulous observations he concluded that life is “a struggle between the individual and the universe.” -
Never Stop Learning June 6th, 2021 “I am a beginner. I am always learning”Fou Ts’ong (from an interview with British journalist Jessica Duchen) Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka No. 13 in A Minor, Op. 17, No. 4 (Fou Ts’ong, piano) This wonderfully humble quote from Fou Ts’ong, the -
For the Love of More Musical PUNS June 5th, 2021 Musicians and music lovers enjoy musical puns. Who doesn’t need a laugh these days? I thought why not expand on some of the puns colleagues have shared with me, of course omitting the ubiquitous viola jokes! (Special thanks to prolific -
Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684–1721)
“Fêtes galantes” June 5th, 2021Antoine Watteau (1684–1721), who died 300 years ago at the young age of 37, was one of the most original and brilliant artists of the eighteen-century. Rising from an obscure provincial background he achieved fame in the French capital, and