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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Paul Wittgenstein
The Lefty Concertos February 14th, 2018The undisputed masterwork to emerge from the Wittgenstein commissions was the Concerto pour la main gauche by Maurice Ravel. Yet the collaboration between composer and interpreter was decidedly acrimonious. Composed between 1929 and 1930, Ravel was intrigued by the challenge -
Rubinstein and the Rocky Island February 13th, 2018 Starting in 1848, Anton Rubinstein was in great shape musically. He had an attentive patron in the Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, sister-in-law to Tsar Nicholas I. In addition to his teaching and performing careers, he also composed 3 symphonies, 5 -
At the Center of the Musical Universe
Frédéric Chopin II February 12th, 2018Completed in April 1893, the 18 Morceaux, Op. 72 were Tchaikovsky’s last works for solo piano. Putting together the relevant musical materials for a series of piano pieces he told his brother, “in order to earn some money, I will -
Relaxing Classical Music? February 11th, 2018 Is this the most “relaxing” piece of classical music? asks Radio Three of Arvo Pärt’s contemplative and spiritual ‘Spiegel im Spiegel’. -
My Films Should Outlast Me: Bruno Monsaingeon as Filmmaker February 11th, 2018 Filmmaker Bruno Monsaingeon made his name with his very first film, on his teacher, Yehudi Menuhin and the violin in Eastern Europe. His fame was cemented with his second film, the first of many on the Canadian pianist Glenn Gould. -
Voices from the Verbier Festival Academy II February 10th, 2018 Further to my previous article – “Voices from the Verbier Festival Academy I”, here are more comments from the “2017 Musicians”. -
Forgotten Cellists: Maurice Gendron February 10th, 2018 Frenchman Maurice Gendron (1920-1990) was known for his poise and elegant, pristine playing. If Daniil Shafran played with unconventional hand positions, Gendron’s are nearest to the ideal. His hands are cello perfect: rounded, relaxed, symmetrical, and produced a shimmering sound. -
Destination Hong Kong February 9th, 2018 More so than any other city in China, Hong Kong has long been a symbol of the exotic other. As an English colony, it was a good place for the Westerner to visit because you knew that someone, somewhere would