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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How Good is the Harpsichord? September 27th, 2019 Jean Rondeau records ‘Vertigo’ for harpsichord Asking whether the harpsichord is the greatest instrument ever, is like asking can fish swim? Now that I’ve answered my own question, here are 10 reasons why the harpsichord is the greatest instrument ever. -
Mysterious Mountains and Visionary Landscapes
The Music of Alan Hovhaness September 26th, 2019“I’ve always listened to my own voice. I was discontented with the kind of music that everyone said I should write – all clever and dissonant, intellectualised. I wanted to write music that was deeply felt, music that would move -
Civil Disobedience in Music September 25th, 2019 A lonely and brave act of civil disobedience can have momentous consequences. In 1955, the seamstress Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus to a white man. Parks remembered, “Two policemen came on -
Clara Wieck-Schumann (1819-1896)
“A Woman’s Voice” September 24th, 2019All too frequently, women composers in history have been made invisible by societal conventions and by unspoken gender bias. Barred from key opportunities and educational chances, female composers have firmly remained in the shadows of their male counterparts. In the -
Cultural Development for the International Stage – An Interview with Benedikt Fohr September 23rd, 2019 Benedikt Fohr joined the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) after 12 years at the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern, the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg, and Ensemble Research Freiburg. Since 2015, he has also been the Artistic Director (Classical) -
Musicians and Artists: Jommelli, C.P.E. Bach and Lavater September 22nd, 2019 In his ground-breaking book on physiognomy, the Swiss writer Johan Kaspar Lavater (1741-1801) sought to find the face of God in the men around him. Taking literally the notion that God created man in his own image, Lavater, sought to -
Classical Music Myth-Busting September 22nd, 2019 There are many myths and preconceptions surrounding classical music, many of which are either inaccurate or just plain wrong… Classical Music is only for old peopleClassical music is for anyone of any age You have to wear special clothes for -
How Your Community Can Help with Music Education September 21st, 2019 During my sophomore year in high school I waited breathlessly for our cue. It was the opening night of the charming opera in one act Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti. Students were waiting in the wings