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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When You Fall in Love With Music
An Interview With Pianist and Conductor Yuxin Dai November 16th, 2023Yuxin Dai developed a love and passion for music at 5 when she began taking piano lessons. Currently, she is not only a skilled pianist but also an accomplished conductor, serving as an Assistant Conductor for the Northwestern University Symphony -
An Uncharacteristic Concerto
Ibert’s Cello Concerto November 16th, 2023French composer Jacques Ibert wrote his Concerto for Cello and Wind Orchestra in 1925 and so much of it reflects the kind of composer Ibert had made himself into. Where we expect concertos to be fairly heavy forms with plenty -
On This Day
15 November: Jorge Bolet Was Born November 15th, 2023The Cuban-born virtuoso Jorge Bolet (1914-1990) was one of the leading advocates of Romantic pianism. From his days as a child prodigy there never was a doubt about his phenomenal talent, as his technique ranked with that of any living -
Frédéric Chopin and George Sand: The Real Story Behind Their Relationship November 15th, 2023 It’s one of the most romanticized love affairs in music history: dashing cross-dressing woman novelist George Sand becomes obsessed with, and then seduces, the sickly consumptive pianist-composer Frédéric Chopin. But how much of this story is real, and how much -
Instruments Required and Not Required
The Harmonica at War November 14th, 2023We were looking at knitting books on Archive.org and found an interesting one from the WWI era. After descriptions and patterns for vests and balaclavas and scarves and all sorts of things to keep Our Boys warm and toasty at -
On This Day
14 November: Leonid Kogan Was Born November 14th, 2023Leonid Kogan, born on 14 November 1924 in the Ukrainian city of Dnepropetrovsk, is considered one of the foremost Soviet violinists in the 20th century. Somewhat in the shadow of his compatriot David Oistrakh, Kogan’s playing is characterised by pure -
The Best of Beethoven: Are These the Best Works He Ever Wrote? November 13th, 2023 Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most celebrated composers in history, left an indelible mark on the world of music. His vast body of work includes symphonies, concertos, chamber music, piano sonatas, and more. Such a massive output can be -
On This Day
13 November: Nicolai Medtner Died November 13th, 2023Nicolai Medtner, who died in London on 13 November 1951, was one of the very last Romantic composer-pianists. Overshadowed by his contemporaries Scriabin and Rachmaninoff, Medtner made the piano the focus of his creative activity and frequently tempered a Russian