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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Twenty Quotes by Women Composers Throughout Classical Music History November 27th, 2023 Throughout classical music history, remarkable women have not only contributed their musical talents, but imparted wisdom through their words. In this article, we’ve gathered twenty thought-provoking quotations by women composers, offering a glimpse into both their struggles and their triumphs, -
Therapeutic Music Created From Healing Plants
‘Linea Naturalis’ by Helen Anahita Wilson November 26th, 2023The therapeutic qualities of music are well known and this new release from award-winning British composer, sound artist and pianist Helen Anahita Wilson is intended to help people who are undergoing cancer treatment. “Every single sound that you hear comes -
Pharaohs, Patriarchs and Prophets
Old Testament in Music II November 26th, 2023Let us continue our exploration of classical music inspired by the Old Testament. According to the Hebrew Bible, Saul was the first king of the Kingdom of Israel and Judah. And as it frequently happens with royalty, at some point -
Finding Music in the New World
Delius’ Florida Suite November 26th, 2023Frederick Delius (1862–1934) was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, a center for wool manufacture. Known as the ‘wool capital of the world’, it also took on the names ‘Woolopolis’ and ‘Wool City’. Delius’ parents came from Germany to Bradford and -
On This Day
25 November: Sergei Taneyev Was Born November 25th, 2023A highly gifted pianist and composer, Sergei Taneyev (1856-1915) was one of Russia’s most influential music theorists. His treatise on counterpoint was called “one of the best books of its kind” by Stravinsky. The delightful blend of rigorous counterpoint, brilliant -
Mozart’s Eight Happiest Pieces of Music November 25th, 2023 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of history’s most celebrated composers, and his vast oeuvre spans a wide range of emotions. But when it comes to expressing joy and exuberance, no other composer has Mozart beat. His ability to embody joy -
Review: Víkingur Ólafsson’s Goldberg Variations November 24th, 2023 One of Víkingur Ólafsson‘s performances, as part of his Goldbergs world tour, took place at Saffron Hall (Cambridgeshire, UK) on November 11th. This was his second and last appearance in the UK. I believe one should be mentally and emotionally -
Leaving it to the Imagination
Anatoly Lyadov: The Enchanted Lake, Op. 62 November 24th, 2023Anatoly Lyadov (1855–1914) was condemned with faint praise: ‘Most recollections of this kind, likeable man suggest that he could have achieved so much more if he had not been so idle.’ A case in point was his commission from Diaghilev.