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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A Minimalistic Mountain out of a Molehill? January 10th, 2014 Something out of nothing Processes processes processes Repetition Inspiration Are you confused yet? -
Among true Friends!
The Berlin Monday Club January 9th, 2014Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: “Der Tag ist wieder hin” (Another day has passed), Gellerts Geistliche Oden und Lieder Throughout his 30 years of service to Frederick II, King of Prussia, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was never able to gain recognition -
Music from the deepest Province
Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 44 January 8th, 2014Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 44 To prove his potential earnings from composition to his highly skeptical father-in-law —we all remember that Friedrich Wieck had taken Robert to court in order to prevent the “old alcoholic” from -
The Liszt Academy of Music January 7th, 2014 Based in Budapest, the Liszt Academy is one of the most renowned music colleges in Europe, and the world. Founded in 1875 by the composer-pianist himself, it has gone on to become a centre of musical excellence. I talked with -
Battling for Commercial Success in 1539 January 5th, 2014 Selling music in the Renaissance wasn’t that different from selling music today. Published music needed a way to differentiate itself from other, similar pieces of music. The title pages tended to look alike: Name, composers’ name (maybe), patron, voice part, -
A Cellist’s Dream – The Beethoven Cello Sonatas January 5th, 2014 Desert Island? No problem. I’d take the five Beethoven Cello Sonatas hands down. Spanning all three periods of Beethoven’s life they essentially depict his whole life story — from the lyrical Sonata in F major Op. 5 Nr. 1 to -
Music and Religion:
Ave Maria: Hail Mary January 4th, 2014Perhaps the most popular of all Marian Prayers, the “Ave Maria” (Hail Mary) originated in the gospel of Luke. Historically, the text is divided into three parts and opens with a salutation of the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin. -
Ji Liu January 3rd, 2014 On a cold, crisp morning, I prepare to meet Ji Liu at the Royal Academy of Music, his place of study for the last six years. Over a cup of tea, we chat about his time there and what the