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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- The Microsoft of Pianos
Steinway & Sons January 25th, 2014It is hardly surprising that innovations in the field of instrument design frequently originated in small workshops run by dedicated artisans determined to realize a personal vision. Take for example Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg, who started to build pianos in his -
Melba at Your Table January 25th, 2014 Georg Predota already alerted us to the delights of Tournedos à la Rossini, a tribute to a heroic trencherman. On the distaff side, some lovely dishes were inspired by a very famous soprano who was active a century ago, or, - In vino veritas!
C.P.E. Bach and Johanna Maria Danneman January 24th, 2014Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Keyboard Concerto in D Major, Wq. 13, H. 416 (1744) Approaching the ripe old age of 30, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach had a steady but poorly paid job with Frederick II, King of Prussia. Away from -
Bach and Beethoven – a legal comparison January 23rd, 2014 Hans von Bülow famously said that in piano music “Bach is the Old Testament and Beethoven, the New Testament”. With all respect to the great man, I would content that a better framework to compare the two is not a -
Night’s Daughter: Bradley meets Mozart January 22nd, 2014 Tamino: Zu Hilfe! Papageno: Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja Tamimo: Dies Bildnis sind bezaubernd schön Queen: Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen Monostatos, Queen, Ladies: Nur stille, stille, stille, stille (Monostatos, Queen of the Night, 3 Ladies-in-Waiting) Although we -
Bechstein Hall at 36 Wigmore Street January 21st, 2014 Following the example set by piano builders Pleyel&Cie, rival manufacturers quickly established competing showrooms and concert halls to display and demonstrate their wares to the general public. Érard provided immediate competition in Paris, with the Steinway Hall opening in New -
Bach is the Father, we are the Children! January 20th, 2014 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart famously told Gottfried van Swieten, a diplomat, librarian and esteemed patron of music, “Bach is the father. We are the children!” Interestingly, Mozart did not have Johann Sebastian in mind, but referred to Carl Philipp Emanuel instead. -
The Speed of Sound I January 19th, 2014 As Einstein noted, time is relative, and for music this is especially true. Tempo, the speed at which music is performed, is not something that is set in stone. Every Allegro movement doesn’t move at the same speed, but is
