The viola may be the less flashy sibling of the violin, but in the hands of these seven great women composers, the viola truly shines as a solo instrument. From the bold modernism of Marga Richter and Peggy Glanville-Hicks to
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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 -
The Best Performances
“Casta Diva” by Vincenzo Bellini April 12th, 2021Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) was the undisputed master of writing gorgeous melodies. Sensuous in expression and pure in style, Bellini was closely connected with the “bel canto” style of the great singers of his day. In his music, he always looked -
The Music of Poetry
Wilhelm Müller: Old Poems for New Melodies April 11th, 2021Wilhelm Müller’s poetic imagination is rooted in a strong sense of proportion, in what has been termed his “architectural sense.” However, none of his poems can be forced into the mold of a rigid system. “Everything develops organically between such -
Let’s Celebrate Popular Classical Pieces April 11th, 2021 In 2020, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ ‘The Lark Ascending’ topped Classic FM’s Hall of Fame as Britain’s most favourite piece of classical music. And it’s not the first time this piece has topped a poll of listeners – in fact it’s