When 18-year-old pianist Yunchan Lim stunned the world at the 2022 Van Cliburn Competition, audiences saw a once-in-a-generation talent whose playing combined a rare poetry with ferocious technique. But Lim’s artistry didn’t come from nowhere. This is a musician who,
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Piano, Guitar: The Co-Parents of Music April 19th, 2021 The guitar and the piano. From a composer’s point of view they are both small-sized orchestras; although one slightly more portable than the other. They have been used by musicians, and particularly composers — unstoppably since their invention, and for -
The Music of Poetry
Peter Lieberson: “Neruda Songs” April 18th, 2021Pablo Neruda (1904-1973) is one of the most influential and widely read 20th-century poets of the Americas. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971, and he is widely regarded “as the greatest poet writing in the Spanish language -
Exceptional Amateur Pianists April 18th, 2021 Alan Rusbridger, journalist and former editor-in-chief of The Guardian newspaper, gave us some fascinating insights into the world of the amateur pianist in his 2013 book ‘Play It Again’ – a world hitherto regarded by many as the realm of -
How to Get Back in Shape as Live Concerts Begin Again: Gradually April 17th, 2021 GRADUAL RETURN Now that live concerts are becoming more of a reality, I’ve been approached by several musicians about how to safely return to playing after a hiatus without injuring ourselves. It’s essential to return gradually. Begin with 10 minutes. -
The Passion in Classical Music April 16th, 2021 If there is one art form that wears its passion on its sleeve, it is classical music. Images of conductors in full flight have become the go-to photos and videos for people who are looking to express visually the passion -
Brahms and Piazzolla: An Interview With Mariano Chiacchiarini April 15th, 2021 In these times of restricted travel and stringent quarantine, it’s wonderful to have a visiting conductor who’s willing to do a 3-week quarantine as the first step to conducting your local orchestra. Argentinian conductor Mariano Chiacchiarini put himself through quarantine -
Sigismond Thalberg at the Opera
“Totally Unlike in Style to either Chopin or Liszt” April 14th, 2021Sigismond Thalberg (1812-1871) devised one of the most illustrious and financially successful careers the world of music had ever seen. He was one of the greatest virtuoso pianists of his day, and he performed almost exclusively his own compositions based -
Musicians and Artists: Gary Smart and 4 American Painters April 13th, 2021 American composer Gary Smart combines an interest in Americana, world music, and jazz with his education in Western classical music to create an improvisation style that permits him to react and perform. When his improvisational style meets with 4 painters