The love story between Robert and Clara Schumann is often regarded as one of the most romantic in classical music history. Happily for historians, many of their love letters survive. They document their inner thoughts and emotions, as well as
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Appealing to the Melting Pot
Stephen Foster and the American Experience March 3rd, 2014Parlour music became hugely popular in the 19th century. As the name implies, it was frequently performed by amateur singers and pianists in the parlours of middle-class homes. The music itself was disseminated as sheet music, and the text commonly -
Playing with Leg March 2nd, 2014 The elegant young man about town in the 17th century carved his way through the world dressed very very well. Fine cloth, elegant cuffs, a lace collar – and stockings. So what kind of instrument might the elegant young man -
Music and Religion: Dominus tecum (The Lord is with thee)
Musical Settings of the Ave Maria (Hail Mary) March 2nd, 2014In 1825, Franz Peter Schubert prepared a musical setting of Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem “The Lady of the Lake.” In the story, a vengeful King is persecuting the heroine, Ellen Douglas, who in turn is hiding in a mountain -
BACH HOUSE WEIMAR instead of a “UNESCO World Heritage Car Park”! March 1st, 2014 Concerto in the Italian Style in F Major, BWV 971, “Italian Concerto” J.S. Bach spent the years of 1708-1717 in Weimar, in central Germany, as the Konzertmeister at the court of Duke Johann Ernst. This was an important time in -
Stéphane Tétreault March 1st, 2014 I had a chance to catch up with the handsome, 20-year-old Montréal born cellist Stéphane Tétreault, Interlude’s artist of the month. He already has an impressive dossier. The release of his debut CD, featuring the works of Saint-Saëns and Tchaikovsky, -
Fostering Unity
Stephen Foster: Father of American Music February 28th, 2014The run-up to the United States presidential election of 1844 was dominated by the controversial issue of slavery expansion through the annexation of the Republic of Texas. The Democratic Party was looking to expand America’s territory by any means. In -
Morning Call!! February 27th, 2014 Emily Dickinson beautifully captured the small hours of the night in her poem Dawn: When night is almost done, And sunrise grows so near That we can touch the spaces, It’s time to smooth the hair And get the dimples -
The Magic of the Licorice Stick!
Buffet Crampon February 26th, 2014Without being disrespectful to a number of wonderful performers, Martin Fröst currently represent the non-plus-ultra of clarinetists. Internationally revered, admired, and respected, Fröst has not only mastered the classical repertoire, he is also keen to expand the clarinet repertoire as