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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Searching for Aida
Verdi and Giuseppina Strepponi I April 8th, 2013Giuseppe Verdi, Oberto, Tutto ho perduto! (Leonora) Scholars have suggested that the inherent pathos and drama of Verdi’s operas was the direct result of the composer attempting to cope with the cruel loss of his two infant children and the -
Xavier de Maistre April 6th, 2013 The Prince of Harp Tall, charming, intelligent were words that came to my mind when I first met French harpist Xavier de Maistre for a recording session at a radio station. Xavier shines through his beautiful playing, eloquence, and polite -
Music to make Mona smile! April 5th, 2013 Throughout most of his life, the Renaissance polymath genius Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (1452-1519) kept a daily journal. He meticulously recorded daily events and engagements, including shopping lists and people who owed him money. Yet, these journals also -
In touch with The Planets April 4th, 2013 Gustav Holst – The Planets: A Listener’s Guide The Planets, Op. 32 (1916) London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, V. Jurowski Holst called the piece “a series of mood pictures.” The piece The Planets — a seven movement orchestral suite, is -
Music and Religion:
Reformation in Germany April 3rd, 2013The leader of the German Reformation, Martin Luther (1483-1546), never intended to establish a Protestant church movement completely separate from Rome, but his initial struggles with the Catholic Church centered on the notion of God as an angry judge who -
In touch with Charles Halka April 2nd, 2013 “Chuchichäschtli.” “I won’t attempt to pronounce that,” I said. “Chuchichäschtli,” Charles Halka, US-based composer, pianist, and one of six composer fellows at the upcoming Intimacy of Creativity 2013, repeated with a laugh. “It’s a Swiss-German word that actually means kitchen -
An Italian Tragedy
Giuseppe Verdi and Margherita Barezzi March 30th, 2013Giuseppe Verdi was a painfully private individual. Details about his romantic encounters are sketchy, and for the most part rely on his own and somewhat inconsistent recollections later in life. We do know, however, that Verdi went to live in -
Arvo Pärt – The Bach of Our Century March 29th, 2013 It is said that Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is the Bach of our century. An unassuming man with furrowed brow, a big bushy salt and pepper beard, and serious contemplative demeanor, this contemporary composer, does not tend to make people