We all know Bess’ song from Porgy and Bess: ‘Summertime, and the Livin’ is Easy’. We decided to do a survey of what other composers thought about summer and were surprised at the very different moods and modes composers used
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A serious case of the Flu!
Johannes Brahms and H2N2 September 16th, 2014Throughout his life, Johannes Brahms equated corporeal infirmity with frailty of character. An avid outdoors enthusiast, who boasted that he had never consulted a physician or taken any medication, Brahms confidently asserted the connection between a healthy body and a -
Recycling and the Music Trade September 15th, 2014 Recycling isn’t a new idea and one of the very odd ways in which instrument makers could benefit was in how they acquired their leather for making the pads for their woodwind instruments. -
Yuri Temirkanov : A New World of Music September 14th, 2014 The Russian maestro Yuri Temirkanov will be bringing the St. Petersburg Philharmonic to the Guangzhou Opera house in October and in anticipation of his visit, we got him to answer a few questions. -
Franz Liszt: Harmonies poétiques et religieuses September 14th, 2014 The outstanding French pianist Pascal Amoyel takes on the chameleon-like Franz Liszt in this recording of the Harmonies poétiques et religieuses (S.173) in this two-disc set that also include the Ballade No.2 (S. 171) and the Liebestraüme, (S. 541). -
The Men in My Life: Stand Partners Two and Three September 13th, 2014 My stand partner for twenty years in the Minnesota Orchestra was another veteran, Robert Jamieson. He was the polar opposite of aggressive, gruff and passionate Shirley Tabachnick. Jamieson was a stoic and private gentleman of Scottish heritage. He had been -
Charles Ives September 12th, 2014 Charles Ives (October 20, 1874 – May 19, 1954) is a composer whose music is still difficult for us to grasp and whose vision for music far exceeded that of his contemporaries. His music seems to be as strongly tied -
Bewitched in a Magic Garden
Giacomo Meyerbeer in Italy September 11th, 2014Giacomo Meyerbeer first visited Italy in 1816. He only planned for a brief study tour, but in the event, it gradually extended itself to nine years! During that time, the composer produced seven operas, starting with the semi-serious Romilda e -
Eating through the Ears September 10th, 2014 When I get back to Hong Kong next week, I am very much looking forward to a special lunch. An internationally renowned chef has opened his own restaurant! I can already tell you that the food will be beyond delicious