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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Chopin goes Pop June 13th, 2015 When classical music aficionados are surveyed on the most popular romantic composer, the name Frédéric Chopin invariably rises to the top. This is hardly surprising as Chopin’s music, ranging from wistful Waltzes and sensual Nocturnes to fiery Etudes and Sonatas, -
The Great Women Artists Who Shaped Music V –Alicia de Larrocha June 13th, 2015 Spanish pianist Alica de Larrocha was a favorite artist at our home when I was growing up and not just because of her diminutive stature. (She was less than five feet tall—like me!) Later in my life I was privileged -
Hugo Wolf: Italian Serenade June 12th, 2015 In the world of chamber music, Hugo Wolf (1860-1903) is not a household name. And there is good reason for this, as Wolf’s work consists predominantly of Lieder. He wrote large-scale song cycles on poems by Mörike, Goethe and Eichendorff, -
Infinite Reflections: Arvo Pärt’s ‘Spiegel im Spiegel’ June 11th, 2015 Spiegel im Spiegel has to be the best-known of all the music by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Composed in 1978, just before Pärt left Estonia for Berlin, it was originally written for single piano and violin, though many other versions -
40-Love June 10th, 2015 Their weekly tennis games had become somewhat of a tourist attraction. George was younger and more powerful, always ready to exploit the weaknesses of his opponent. His movements were smooth and nonchalant, with every step and hit designed to impress -
“Art has to deal with eternal Questions”
Arvo and Nora Pärt June 9th, 2015I know it’s hard to believe, but there are still celebrities who wish to keep their public and private spheres completely separate. For Arvo Pärt, one of the most respected and revered composers of contemporary classical music, it is a -
Sherlock Goes to the Opera June 8th, 2015 Scottish physician Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) took up writing while still a medical student at the University of Edinburgh. His first stories were mysteries, but he also wrote about the difficulties of life as a fledgling doctor and many historical -
A Love Affair: Alban Berg’s ‘Lyric Suite’ and Baudelaire’s ‘De Profundis Clamavi’ June 7th, 2015 A recent concert by the magnificent Emerson Quartet featured Alban Berg’s ‘Lyric Suite for String Quartet’ (1925). An annotated copy of Berg’s composition which he had given to his mistress, Hanna Fuchs-Robettin was discovered by the Berg scholar George Perle