For as long as composers have been writing music, they’ve been inspired by the mystery, mood, and mythology of the night. We’ve gathered ten pieces of classical music about the night that explore themes associated with the hours after dark,
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A Bridge to Europe
Britten, Bridge, and Schoenberg August 26th, 2013Edith Rhoda Britten, née Hockley was an ambitious woman. When she discovered that her son Benjamin had outstanding musical talents, she not only provided him with his first piano lessons and instructions in rudimentary musicianship, she also was convinced that -
Julius Harrison August 24th, 2013 Part-time Composer Julius Harrison: Viola Sonata in C minor Traditionally, composers had a rather difficult time to earn a living practicing their art. A good many of them had to take a day job to actually make a living. Gustav -
Living with Handel August 23rd, 2013 Bach : Saint John PassionPart I: Chorale: Herr, unser Herrscher (Chorus) I am for the first time in my life living with Handel. I lived with Bach earlier this year, when I was involved in performances of his St John -
The Sunken Crate: Vienna State Opera August 22nd, 2013 Viennese audiences, throughout the establishment of their city as a cultural and musical center, have not only been known for their artistic expertise, but also for their fickleness. A deep-seated reliance on musical and cultural traditions informed much of the -
In Search of Magic August 21st, 2013 At the Van Cliburn Piano Competition Four years ago, when the Van Cliburn Piano Competition was first presented on webcast, I found myself glued to my laptop for weeks, following what I considered one of the most exciting events in -
In touch with Lana Kos August 21st, 2013 It seems that every rising star has a mentor; like cellist Han-na Chang, the Croatian soprano Lana Kos was inspired by Mstislav Rostropovich. The late maestro chose Kos for the role of Natasha Rostova in Prokofiev’s War and Peace in -
“Violetta: A Subject for our own Age”
La Traviata August 20th, 2013In February 1852, Giuseppe Verdi and his companion Giuseppina Strepponi attended a performance of Alexander Dumas fils’ play La Dame aux camellias (The Lady of the Camellias) in Paris. Verdi had probably read the novel, originally published in 1849, at -
In touch with Maria Agresta August 13th, 2013 Just by looking at her photos, I can feel the Italian warmth from Maria Agresta’s beaming smiles. A winner of several competitions, Maria Agresta made her debut in 2007. Since then, she has worked with conductors like Gianandrea Noseda, Zubin