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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Music and the Arts in 19th and 20th Century Russia II October 11th, 2013 In last month’s article I focused on the relationships between musicians, artists and writers in 19th century Russia, which foreshadowed the even more drastic changes of the beginning of the 20th century. Not only would the artists and painters, associated -
Vincenzo Galilei: Reshaping the Sonic Universe October 10th, 2013 Vincenzo Galilei: Duo tutti di fantasia We all know that Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) is commonly known as the “Father of modern observational astronomy,” the “Father of Modern Physics,” and the “Father of Modern Science.” But did you know that his -
Finding a way in:
Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie October 9th, 2013Who’s going to write it? How long’s it going to be? For how many people? These are just a few of the questions that are asked when a new work is commissioned. What, then, do you get when these constraints -
From Russia with a Cello
Britten, Shostakovich, Rostropovich October 8th, 2013In 1935, Benjamin Britten spoke rather despairingly of the musical scene in the 20th century. “The real musicians are so few & far between, aren’t they? Apart from Berg, Stravinsky, Schoenberg and Bridge one is a bit stumped for names, -
In touch with Simon Trpčeski:
The Macedonian Hero October 7th, 2013Simon and I met in our teens, before he became known to the world as ‘Trpčeski’. As a person, he is full of joy, warmth and sincerity; as a pianist, he is natural, charismatic and phenomenal. Wherever he appears, he -
Daphnis et Chloé vs Diaghilev et Ravel –
a match made in hell? October 6th, 2013Daphnis et Chloé For all its charm and wonder, Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé wasn’t a bump-free production from either side of the fence… It’s perhaps most well-known for its two orchestral suites, using music directly from the ballet itself. The -
A life of the two of us!
Britten and Pears II October 6th, 20137 Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22Benjamin Britten, pianoPeter Pears, tenor In 1974, Benji Britten and Peter Pears exchanged a number of remarkable letters that summarized not only their personal relationship but also their artistic careers. Dated 17 November 1974, Britten -
Slava October 5th, 2013 Antonín DvořákCello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, B. 191Mstislav RostropovichMoscow Radio Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra When I was a student I would often sneak into the Toronto Symphony Orchestra concerts. My father, who was a member of the cello section,