The solo violin has long been acknowledged as the perfect instrument to express emotions like love, longing, heartbreak, rapture, and romance. The Romantic era lasted from the early nineteenth century to the early twentieth century and produced numerous works that
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The Supernatural in Music
V Tartini and the Devil’s Trill April 13th, 2014Giuseppe Tartini (1692–1770) took the already-lurid reputation of the violin and painted it with the colours of the dark side. Tartini was among the leading violinist/composers of his time and was based in Padua, Italy, where he founded an internationally -
In touch with Janko Vasiljevic April 12th, 2014 “If we look back at the Great Masters they were all like Swiss Army knives,” said Vasiljevic. “They were all-in-one: they played many instruments, they composed, conducted, improvised.” In one sentence, the Serbian composer perfectly summed up the inspiration behind -
Lullistes et Ramoneurs!
The debate surrounding French opera April 12th, 2014Although Jean-Philippe Rameau had established a solid reputation as a teacher, organist and theorists, his musical fortune rested squarely on the shoulders of Alexandre-Jean-Joseph Le Riche de la Pouplinière. A leading patron of music in France, La Pouplinière was fabulously -
In touch with Vladimir Ashkenazy
“I Believe in Destiny” April 11th, 2014Vladimir Ashkenazy has it all. He won prizes in three major piano competitions – Chopin, Queen Elizabeth and Tchaikovsky. He recorded the complete piano works by Rachmaninov, Chopin and Schumann; the complete sonatas by Beethoven, Scriabin; the complete piano concertos -
A day in the life of Perugia… Part I
Music Fest Perugia April 10th, 2014Opportunities for young performers abound at festivals and competitions, both at home and abroad. Upon learning I’d be interviewing two of the key organisers of Music Fest Perugia, my heart sank. A month in the heart of Italy, in a -
Music for Easter April 9th, 2014 The festival of Easter — a holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ — is of central importance to the Christian faith. It is the culmination of the Passion of Christ, which commemorates the Last Supper, as well as the -
A Musical Kaleidoscope – Inspiring the Younger Generation April 9th, 2014 For much of the younger generation, the words ‘classical music’ mean boredom or even resentment. In an attempt to shake off this negative image, I dig deep to find refreshing faces of classical music that will hopefully reach out and -
Maestro Skrowaczewski:
Seeking the Infinite and Sto Lat! (Happy Birthday) April 8th, 2014Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, or “Stan the Man” as we in Minnesota affectionately call him, has the distinction of being the oldest major conductor working today. He is also a Pulitzer Prize nominee for his highly regarded compositions. Recently the music communities