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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Minors of the Majors
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Suite in D minor August 1st, 2016“Minors of the Majors” invites you to discover compositions by the great classical composers that for one reason or another have not reached the musical mainstream. Please enjoy, and keep listening! -
Musical Giants of the 20th Century: Pianists July 31st, 2016 Narrowing a list of “great pianists” down to 10 was not an easy task – there are so many who merit inclusion! And readers will inevitably have their own personal list of pianistic heroes and heroines. But I hope this -
An Artist at the Opera: Erté July 31st, 2016 The Russian-born designer Roman de Tirtoff, better known as Erté (from the French pronunciation of his initials R-T), is best known for his art deco fashion designs. He also designed shoes, jewelry, did interior design, and graphic arts. -
Muses and Musings
Sisterly Muse : Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn July 30th, 2016In his famous Tintern Abbey poem, the English Romantic poet William Wordsworth wrote of his sister Dorothy, Of this fair river; thou my dearest Friend, My dear, dear Friend; and in thy voice I catch The language of my former -
How You Should Feel in the Key of F major July 29th, 2016 In our earlier series on C major and minor, G major and minor, and D major and minor, and A major and minor, E major and minor, B major and minor, F sharp major and minor, C sharp major and -
Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov July 28th, 2016 The last link to traditional Russian music Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov (1864-1956) was a contemporary of Richard Strauss, and he lived to the ripe old age of 92. Born in Moscow, he became a U.S. citizen in 1949 and spent his -
Teachers and Mentors July 27th, 2016 We all remember the teachers who have inspired us the most, and we may refer back to those teachers and mentors for advice and support long after we have ceased to have regular tuition. Many of the finest piano teachers -
Cipriano de Rore (1516-1565): Proto-Madrigalist July 26th, 2016 Over the centuries, the Italian peninsula has given rise to an extraordinary number of artistic and intellectual movements. Ranging from literature and painting to the visual arts, Italy has magnificently contributed to European intellectual and cultural development. And then there