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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Marrying the Symphonic Poem to the Symphony
Liszt: A Faust Symphony October 19th, 2023Franz Liszt (1811–1886) created the genre of the symphonic poem, but they weren’t without controversy. Eduard Hanslick, the premiere critic of mid–mid-19th-century Vienna thought little of them, noting that the addition of the extra-musical programmes did not justify what he -
On This Day
19 October: Emil Gilels Was Born October 19th, 2023Widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his time, the stellar career of Emil Gilels was initially smothered during the opening years of World War II. Universally admired for his superb technical control and polished tone, Gilels returned -
The Goldberg Variations Are Accessible to Amateur Pianists! October 18th, 2023 I have written before about how some repertoire is considered “off limits” to amateur pianists, and should remain the preserve of the professional. I think what such an attitude demonstrates is how the “core canon” of piano repertoire is held -
On This Day
18 October: Charles Gounod Died October 18th, 2023Charles Gounod kept working during the final year of his life. He suffered a variety of afflictions and ills but composed sacred music and penned his memoirs and essays. When he returned home from playing the organ for Mass at -
On This Day
17 October: Raphaël Pichon Was Born October 17th, 2023Raphaël Pichon, who literally grew up in the shadow of the Palace of Versailles, has had dual careers as a countertenor, and later as the founder and director of the historically oriented choir “Pygmalion.” With a decided gift for drawing -
13 Pieces of Classical Vocal Music for Halloween October 16th, 2023 To celebrate Halloween, we’re taking a look at spooky classical music written especially for the human voice. From cackling witches to scheming sorceresses to doomed doppelgangers to unscrupulous psychics, we’re about to meet all kinds of sinister, spine-chilling characters, and -
Masterworks Inspired and Dedicated to Ignacy Paderewski October 15th, 2023 The pianist Ignacy Paderewski (1860-1941) was a favorite with concert audiences but not universally beloved by music critics. In the event, Paderewski was much more than just a rich, irresistibly handsome, wild-haired composer and musician whose concerts generated a level -
Rewriting Mozart October 15th, 2023 In 1876, after returning from a trip to Bayreuth to see the first complete Ring cycles, Edvard Grieg and his friend John Paulson (1851–1924) travelled up and down Norway. As a treat for the poet Paulson, Grieg took 4 sonatas