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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Au Clair de la Lune September 22nd, 2013 The French folk song Au Clair de la Lune is a greater celebrity than its simple tune might suggest. Not only is it well known especially in France (even used by some mid-wives to teach labour breathing techniques) and popularly -
In touch with Antonio Poli September 21st, 2013 With a jury comprised of not only opera managers and music directors around the globe but also international media figures, the annual International Hans Gabor Belvedere Competition aims to offer prizewinners the fast track into a career in opera. I -
Ferdinando and his Magical Keyboard September 20th, 2013 Sometimes, the course of musical history is utterly changed by the split decision of a single individual. When Ferdinando de’Medici, Grand Prince of the Duchy of Tuscany needed a caretaker for his roughly 75 musical instruments, he hired Bartolomeo Cristofori, -
The Lang Lang Effect – Good, Bad or Ugly September 19th, 2013 First of all, I have to declare that I am definitively not a fan of Lang Lang. As a matter of fact, I strongly dislike his public image, his musical taste, what he has to say with his music, and -
Johann Ludwig Krebs September 18th, 2013 A Crayfish in my Stream Johann Ludwig Krebs: Flute Sonata No. 3 in C major By all accounts, Johann Sebastian Bach was a stern and exacting teacher. Since he had no time to waste — he was after all in - Whatever Horowitz wants, Horowitz gets!
Samuel Barber : Excursions September 14th, 2013By the early 1940’s, the pianist Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz — and his conducting father-in law Arturo Toscanini — had reached the pinnacle of fame in the United States. Described as a “tornado unleashed from the steppes,” Horowitz mesmerized audiences with -
Orchestration – a whole world of sound September 14th, 2013 To orchestrate verb [ with obj. ] 1 arrange or score (music) for orchestral performance. 2 arrange or direct the elements of (a situation) to produce a desired effect Why do people write for orchestra? Because of the larger choice -
Chief Listener: Ng, Yat-chiu, Daniel (1937-2013) September 13th, 2013 What do you get when you cross a marketing genius and extremely successful businessman with an insatiable music enthusiasm actively supporting composers, performers, scholars and various musical organizations? If you reside in Hong Kong or have a serious interest in
