The London of William Hogarth’s time was one of raucous politicizing, upwardly aspiring young women, and young men ready to be tempted by the delights of the world. Well, rather like today. In his 8-painting series, A Rake’s Progress, painted

I’m going to face up to a harsh reality here. The clarinet repertoire is small. Admittedly, it’s not as meagre as certain other instruments’ (which I will not list here for fear of opening up innumerable cans of worms), but

Another piece for children that, like Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, served as an introduction to the instruments of the orchestra was George Kleinsinger’s memorable Tubby the Tuba. Tubby gets tired of always only being the support for

The Southbank Sinfonia (SbS) may be an unfamiliar name to Hong Kong, but in Britain it is a much sought after orchestra that every fresh graduate of music wants to be part of. Founded by British conductor Simon Over, the

A number of music critics have called Frank Sinatra the “greatest singer of the 20th century.” The only child of an Italian immigrant couple, Sinatra entered show business at a very early age. And by the time he reached his

The quietest place on Earth. The tallest man on Earth. The oldest tree. The longest fingernails. Pi to 67,890 places. These are some of the world records featured in Sam Green’s new documentary-with-a-difference, The Measure of All Things. A self-confessed

Music is supposed to be a gift from Heaven. We have all seen beautiful paintings where the dove—representing the Holy Spirit—whispers sweet melodies into the ear of Pope Gregor. Gregor immediately started to write down these heavenly melodies and codified