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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The Music of Poetry
John Keats “Nothing Ever Becomes Real Till It Is Experienced” August 9th, 2020Tuberculosis, or consumption as it was known throughout the 19th century—decisively shaped the social history of Europe. Its impact on the artistic world was extremely powerful, with artists offering their own commentaries on the disease through painting, poetry and opera. -
A Grand Fermata August 9th, 2020 nounMusicnoun: fermata; plural noun: fermatas – a pause of unspecified length on a note or rest– a sign indicating a prolonged note or rest John Cage’s 4’33” may be the most infamous example of the use of silence in music -
Modern Audience August 8th, 2020 A Response to Frances Wilson — Why Sir András Schiff is Not All Wrong about Modern Audience Previously, our contributor Frances has written an articulate article in response to András Schiff’s comment about modern audiences, which I attach here again -
The Newest of the New: The Hermes Experiment August 6th, 2020 When four music graduates of Cambridge get together, you never expect the expected. Singer and co-director Héloïse Werner, clarinetist Oliver Pashley, harpist Anne Denholm, and double-bassist Marianne Schofield got together after graduation to create The Hermes Experiment. Shortly after they -
On My Music Desk……
Couperin – Les Barricades Mystérieuses August 6th, 2020No one really knows what Les Barricades Mystérieuses actually means. The title literally translates from the French as “the mysterious barricades” but it gives little clue. It could refer to masks – or masques, a form of courtly entertainment – -
Franz von Suppé August 5th, 2020 Opera for the People I’ve got a bit of a tongue twister for you today. Try to say the name of the composer Francesco Ezechiele Ermenegildo, Cavaliere Suppé-Demelli rapidly five times. Fortunately, the composer under consideration shortened his professional name -
Beethoven’s Lairs
“Obere Pfarrgasse” August 4th, 2020For a couple of short months in 1822, Beethoven took quarters at Obere Pfarrgasse, currently 22 Laimgrubengasse. We don’t have any particular knowledge of the apartment’s interior, but it is mentioned in connection with the revival of Fidelio, which took -
Primavera and the Seasons: How Nature Influences Music August 3rd, 2020 Music is a wonderful support for sensorial illustrations and evocative descriptions. While some is considered absolute — music for the sake of music — the contrast, expressive music, is often a great support for composers’ creativity. Also known as program