The solo violin has long been acknowledged as the perfect instrument to express emotions like love, longing, heartbreak, rapture, and romance. The Romantic era lasted from the early nineteenth century to the early twentieth century and produced numerous works that
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Listening to Recordings When Practising: Useful, or a Thing to Avoid? January 22nd, 2021 Many musicians or students start learning a piece that inspired them when they heard it at a concert or on the radio. Some famous pieces have been recorded hundreds of times, and with streaming services and YouTube out there for -
The Stag Hunt
I Fagiolini January 21st, 2021It is always a distinct pleasure to learn of a new release by the celebrated vocal ensemble I Fagiolini. In a substantial number of CDs and short films the ensemble has deliciously probed the frequently quirky imagination of artists and -
The Out of Tune Pianos of Lockdown January 21st, 2021 Soon after the first UK lockdown began in March 2020, videos began appearing online of people playing their pianos in their homes. Often these home performances – more playing for oneself than for others – were prefaced by an apology -
Composers of the Zodiac
Tropic of Aquarius January 20th, 2021Aquarius is a highly prominent winter constellation in the northern hemisphere, and the sun transits this zodiac between January 20 and February 19. Aquarius is represented by the water bearer, the mystical and beautiful healer who bestows water and life -
Franz Schubert and His Circle of Friends II January 19th, 2021 It is not entirely clear when Franz Schubert met Franz von Schober (1796–1882). But from the very beginning, the two men had a special relationship. Gifted, charismatic and undisciplined, Schober was tall, smooth, good-looking and a gifted orator. Basically, everything -
The Creativity of Laziness January 18th, 2021 Given the context of 2020, many composers and artists have regretted not having created more; having been given the gift of time and not making the most of it. While there are many reasons for a lack of creative result, -
Musicians and Artists: Busoni and Boccioni January 17th, 2021 When we look at artists and their friends, sometimes its because, in each of their realms, the artist and the composer may have similar stylistic thoughts. In other cases, however, the works of the two artists may be completely opposite. -
When Is a Sold Out Concert Not a Sold Out Concert? January 17th, 2021 Answer:When it’s a socially-distanced concert I’ve been guilty of it myself, proudly trumpeting “this concert is now sold out!” for the events I have been promoting last year in September and October (I work for a London-based arts organisation and