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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The Bel Canto of Life: An Interview with Sumi Jo April 28th, 2015 Korean coloratura soprano Sumi Jo made her reputation in Europe starting in the late 1980s with appearances at the Salzburg Festival, the Vienna State Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera. She will be appearing at the Guangzhou Opera House in May -
Kinds of Orchestras April 28th, 2015 In many cities, there are multiple orchestras and although we might think that they differentiate themselves solely through their labels: London Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra, etc., they may also carry other names that differentiate them by size. The smallest -
Singing in the Wind April 27th, 2015 All art, according to Walter Pater’s famous words “constantly aspires towards the condition of music.” Since architecture and music are based on rhythm, proportion and harmony, they do share a clear cultural lineage. The search for the visual equivalent of -
Amateurs take to the stage April 26th, 2015 The South London Concert Series is a unique concert concept, created and curated by myself and harpsichordist and fellow piano teacher Lorraine Liyanage. Launched in November 2013, the series offers talented amateur pianists the opportunity to perform alongside young and -
Having the Final Word
Cadenzas and Creativity April 26th, 2015One of the most exciting moments in a concerto is when the orchestra, poised on an incomplete cadence, ceases to play and lets the soloist loose. The soloist gathers together all the melodic strings into one exciting moment of improvisation -
John Cage and his Magic Mushrooms April 26th, 2015 John Cage, the legendary composer of experimental sounds and silences was utterly fascinated by mushrooms. Apparently, Cage’s fungi obsession originated during the Depression. “In California, I had no money. I was living in Carmel and around my shack grew mushrooms, -
In touch with Florian Uhlig April 25th, 2015 Born in Düsseldorf to a musical family, pianist Florian Uhlig is yet in every way resembling an English gentleman. Although he was impressed by pianist Pascal Devoyon’s beauty of tone that led him to Paris to play for him, it -
The Great Women Artists Who Shaped Music II – Dorothy DeLay April 25th, 2015 Other than playing the violin fantastically, what do Itzhak Perlman, Midori, Anne Akiko Meyers, Sarah Chang, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Nigel Kennedy, Gil Shaham, Shlomo Mintz Philippe Quint and Cho-Liang Lin have in common? Their teacher! Dorothy DeLay.