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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A Convivial Celebration of Piano Chamber Music in Birmingham November 14th, 2018 The first Birmingham International Piano Chamber Music Festival takes place next week, 20th – 23rd November, at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The result of months of planning, incorporating a competition for young chamber ensembles, this promises to be one of -
Nightmare Premiere!
Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto November 14th, 2018Introducing new and unknown pieces of music to a wider public audience is always a special occasion. Ludwig van Beethoven scheduled such a concert full of premieres at the Theater an der Wien on 22 December 1808. Of course, Beethoven -
Super Couple
Giaochino Rossini and Isabella Colbran November 13th, 2018They probably first met in Bologna around 1815, and the union between Giaochino Rossini and Isabella Colbran was to become one of the most successful artistic alliances in the history of music. Rossini was a rising star when he was -
When Western Choirs Sing Indian Music – Part II November 12th, 2018 “One reason I love performing non-Western music is because I don’t find non-Western ideas in the music. I find basic human emotions and experiences that I have, I share, and I understand.” That outlook helps Ethan Sperry take on the -
Music and Nature
Time of Day: Evening November 11th, 2018Evening music sets us up for relaxing, slowing down the day, or does it? Some composers see the evening as a time for quiet time and others note that not every evening ends quietly. -
Adventures in Interpretation November 11th, 2018 There is so much in music that is subjective and open to personal taste and interpretation. In order for us to play convincingly, we have to develop an interpretation that is meaningful TO US vivid in all its details. Unless -
When Cellists Rush Their Cellos to Intensive Care November 10th, 2018 Accidents happen. If I trip while carrying my cello I make a split-second decision—save the cello, never mind breaking an arm! Sometimes, no matter what we do, our precious stringed instruments are damaged and we rush, heartbroken, to expert cello -
Verdi: La Forza del Destino
Premiered Today in 1862 November 10th, 2018Around the middle of the 19th century, Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) commanded the Italian opera scene. As one of the most celebrated composers in history, opera companies from all corners of the globe were asking for new works, or at least