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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Resistance is Futile
Ferruccio Busoni and Gerda Sjöstrand II April 19th, 2016It is rather commonplace for children, even after they have all grown up, to keep assorted secrets from their parents. As long as it concerns the acquisition of a pet or a new plant, no harm done. However, when things -
Minors of the Majors
Francis Poulenc: Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone, Op.33 April 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! The French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, boxing manager, playwright -
“We Were All of Us Whipped”: Rebecca Clarke April 17th, 2016 “We were all of us whipped, sometimes really painfully,” Rebecca Clarke once wrote. The sentence is a tragic summation of her childhood. Despite the abuse she and her siblings endured at the hands of her father, Rebecca Clarke emerged into -
Intersections of Art and Music – Rothko and Pollock April 17th, 2016 Many 20th century and contemporary artists claim not only to have been inspired by music, but make a very compelling case for a close connection between a particular kind of music and their art. -
Sex and Music: The Renaissance and Early Baroque April 16th, 2016 The Renaissance – the sixteenth century time of rebirth was also a time for musical games. One of the greatest games of the day was sex. Musical references to sex were everywhere and especially in the madrigal. The madrigal was -
A Talk with Grzegorz Kotów of the Szymanowski Quartet April 15th, 2016 The Szymanowski Quartet was founded in 1995 and has become known as a sophisticated quartet that keeps a perfect balance between intellect and passion. The founding members, Grzegorz Kotów (violin), Vladimir (Volodia) Mykytka (viola), and Marcin Sieniawski (cello), were joined -
How You Should Feel in the Key of A minor April 15th, 2016 In our earlier series on C major and minor, G major and minor, and D major and minor, we listed Ernst Pauer’s suggestions from 1876 of pieces that fit the particular affect he assigned for a key. For the rest -
Crazy Music
Alexander Agricola (1446-1506) April 14th, 2016On occasion, composers and artists have some very peculiar habits or eccentricities that border on insanity. Erik Satie ate only food that was white in color, Richard Wagner enjoyed cross-dressing and his daily enemas, Anton Bruckner had an obsession with