The solo violin has long been acknowledged as the perfect instrument to express emotions like love, longing, heartbreak, rapture, and romance. The Romantic era lasted from the early nineteenth century to the early twentieth century and produced numerous works that
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Music and Religion:
Nicene Creed: I believe! September 5th, 2013In the year 325, theological experts and ecclesiastical dignitaries met in the city of Nicaea — presently defined as the Turkish city of Iznik — and discussed the exact wording for a profession of faith or creed to be used -
Playing Second Fiddle August 30th, 2013 Giovanni Battista Sammartini: Symphony in A major, J-C 65 Franz Josef Haydn: String Quartet No. 31 in B minor, Op. 33, No. 1 Between 1715 and 1735, Alain-René Lesage published his 4-volume novel L’Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane (The -
Salutations From Composer to Composer August 29th, 2013 Just like the rest of the world composers may or may not get along with each other; and they may or may not like each other’s music. In fact, insults sometimes fly. “He’d be better off shoveling snow,” said Richard -
The Adventures of Benji
Britten and the Boys August 28th, 2013It is a rather thankless task to write about Benjamin Britten in the context of a column entitled “In Love.” His long-time relationship with the tenor Peter Pears, which is clearly a love story, is not the issue and I -
Britten and Tippett – Two Kinds of Englishman August 27th, 2013 One of the most enjoyable musical experiences of my life has been performing Sir Michael Tippett’s extraordinary oratorio A Child of our Time with the chorus and orchestra of Clare College, Cambridge. Famous especially because of the series of five -
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