The solo violin has long been acknowledged as the perfect instrument to express emotions like love, longing, heartbreak, rapture, and romance. The Romantic era lasted from the early nineteenth century to the early twentieth century and produced numerous works that
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Patriotism and Nationalism III: Italy and Spain September 9th, 2016 For many countries, their National Anthems are symbols of their place in the world. They may reflect many different aspects of a country, sometimes listing nature’s bountiful beauties, sometimes giving an encapsulated history of a country, or reflecting a particularly -
Morton Feldman (1926-1987)
Music is built on primitive memory structures September 8th, 2016Morton Feldman had strong opinions on everything, and he certainly wasn’t shy of voicing them. “Because I’m Jewish,” he wrote, “I do not identify with Western civilization music. Polyphony sucks! Our moral in music is nineteenth-century German music, but I -
Accentuate the Positive: Music and Neuro-Linguistic Programming September 6th, 2016 Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) was created in California in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. The name makes a connection between the neurological processes (“neuro”), language (“linguistic”), and behavioural patterns learned through experience (“programming”) which can be altered or -
Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 September 5th, 2016 In 1876, Nadezhda von Meck—widow of a fabulously wealthy railroad proprietor—first encountered the music of Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky. This initial musical encounter quickly developed into a relationship of musical patronage that would last the better part of 14 years. Von -
Minors of the Majors
Johannes Brahms: Piano Trio in A Major, Op. posth. September 5th, 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! -
Muses and Musings
Sing me to sleep, Honey!
Johannes Brahms and Bertha Porubsky September 4th, 2016Between 1859 and 1862, Johannes Brahms eagerly participated in the musical and social life of his native city of Hamburg. Clearly, he was looking to establish the foundations for what he hoped would be a lifelong career in his hometown. -
When I Went Down to the Shrovetide Fair September 3rd, 2016 Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) wrote his ballet Petrushka as a classic love triangle, but told through the story of three puppets. Petrushka loves the Ballerina, the Ballerina loves the Moor, and the Moor hates Petrushka. The work uses the traditions of -
Patriotism and Nationalism II: US and Germany September 2nd, 2016 For many countries, their National Anthems are symbols of their place in the world. They may reflect many different aspects of a country, sometimes listing nature’s bountiful beauties, sometimes giving an encapsulated history of a country, or reflecting a particularly