As a mythological character, Hercules is one who has always captured our attention. Famed for his strength and for his adventures around the known world, he’s caught the attention of writers and musicians for centuries. The stories and feats of
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Sighs and Cries: An Interview With Stanley Grill November 19th, 2023 The unending surprise of the war in the Ukraine has taken the world over. Supposed to have been a job completed in under a week, the war that Russia brought to its southern neighbor, starting on 24 February 2022, has -
On This Day
19 November: Géza Anda Was Born November 19th, 2023The Swiss-Hungarian pianist Géza Anda was a celebrated interpreter of the classical and romantic repertoire. Capable of resolving the most strenuous difficulties into crystalline poetry and producing a unique tonal sheen and refined cantabile, Wilhelm Furtwängler famously called him “a -
Pharaohs, Patriarchs and Prophets
Old Testament in Music November 19th, 2023Where can you find passionate stories about love and hate, horrible stories about rape and dismemberment, accounts of slave trafficking, tales of high honor, and cruel treachery of war? The answer is very simple, as you only need to turn -
Martha Argerich: Fifteen Facts About One of the Greatest Pianists Ever November 18th, 2023 Martha Argerich is simultaneously one of the most celebrated and most enigmatic of classical music stars. Many people call her the greatest pianist of her generation – and others, the greatest pianist who ever lived! Today, we are taking a -
On This Day
18 November: Carl Maria von Weber Was Born November 18th, 2023Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826) stunned the musical world in 1821 with the premier performance of Der Freischütz (The Marksman). Setting his career as a pianist and critic aside, Weber had created a work that fully embodied the energies of -
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
A Piano Album November 18th, 2023Just in case we need reminding, the “Dean of American Composers,” Aaron Copland was born on 14 November 1900. In his teens, Stravinsky studied theory and composition with Rubin Goldmark, who was considered one of New York’s most eminent composition -
Richard Strauss
“Morgen!” – “Tomorrow” November 17th, 2023The four songs of Richard Strauss’ Op. 27 are among the most admired and most frequently performed vocal works. They include “Ruhe, meine Seele!” to a poem by Karl Henckell, “Cäcilie” to a poem by Heinrich Hart, and “Heimliche Aufforderung” -
Sibling Ventriloquism
Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn November 17th, 2023In 1826/27, Felix Mendelssohn published a collection of songs as his Opus 8, followed by a further collection in 1830, his Op. 9. Yet hidden in these collections are actually 6 Lieder composed by his sister Fanny Mendelssohn, published under