In classical music, the Romantic Era lasted from around 1810 to around 1910. That century gave us some of the most famous symphonies in the repertoire. Nineteenth-century composers like Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Dvořák, Schubert, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, and others elevated the symphony
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August Förster: Seducing the Ears July 20th, 2016 Quietly tucked away in a secluded corner of eastern Saxony sits the town of Löbau. Small in size—currently counting less than 15,000 inhabitants—this settlement was first mentioned in 1221. But what really put Löbau on the international radar was the -
Gustav Mahler: Fünf Lieder nach Rückert (Rückert Songs) July 19th, 2016 Friedrich Rückert was professor of Oriental languages at the University of Erlangen and Berlin. A master of more than thirty languages, he principally made his name with a number of highly esteemed translations of Oriental poetry. However, he also started -
Minors of the Majors
Jean Sibelius: Ödlan (The Lizard) July 18th, 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 July 17th, 2016 In 1968, humanity collectively experienced an “Aha Moment.” And it was the photograph “Earthrise” that triggered this moment of realization, inspiration, insight, recognition and utter astonishment. One of the most influential photographs ever taken, it shows our “blue marble” gently -
Critical Ear with Sharpened Pen
The Voice of Reason – Jessica Duchen July 17th, 2016‘What is the need for music criticism?’ ‘Does writing for a blog differ from print?’ ‘Where’s the future of writing about music?’ These are just some of the questions whirling round my helmeted head as I cycle through Hyde Park -
Why We Owe “The Flying Dutchman” To A Dog July 16th, 2016 Robber, the giant Newfoundland dog, took to the pit with his master, Richard Wagner. The twentysomething conductor and composer had recently won a job as music director of the Riga opera, and his dog Robber frequently joined his master at -
How You Should Feel in the Key of B flat major July 15th, 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 -
Old friends: reviving old repertoire July 14th, 2016 Revisiting music one learnt last month, last year, or 20 years ago can be a wonderful experience, like reacquainting oneself with an old friend, while also making a new friendship. Picking up a piece again after a long absence can