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,
Latest article
Spotlight
-
Bring in the Clowns!
Poulenc Sonata for Clarinet and Piano January 14th, 2013Sonata for clarinet and piano (FP 184) Francis Poulenc Francis Poulenc Clarinet Sonata The French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, boxing manager, playwright and filmmaker Jean Cocteau magnanimously announced in 1918, that his principal goal was the elimination of all foreign -
Beethoven’s Shadow!
Richard Wagner January 12th, 2013At the tender age of 13 and accompanied by his mother, young Richard made his first journey to the city of Prague. They visited his two sisters who were employed as singers at the National Opera. The vibrant cultural and -
Richard Wagner and Dresden January 11th, 2013 Dresden, with its well-known Sächsische Staatskapelle, Kreuzchor and Semper Opera House, cannot only be considered one of the great ‘musical’ cities in Germany, but most importantly, its cultural and political milieu played a significant role in the musical and artistic -
Orbiting Minna
Richard Wagner and Wilhelmine Planer January 10th, 20137 pieces for Goethe’s Faust, Op. 5 No. 6. Gretchen am Spinnrade No. 7. Melodram It is at least conceivable that Leah David’s rejection fueled Richard Wagner’s gradually growing hatred for the Jewish race. It is without doubt, however, that -
Wagner, Freud and what it means to be human January 10th, 2013 I spent much of last year studying Wagner’s great tetralogy of music dramas, The Ring of the Nibelung. If anyone hasn’t done so, I would heartily recommend it – simply to list the number of things I found fascinating about -
Golden Age of Violinists Part II January 9th, 2013 Milstein and Heifetz are but two violinists comprising the golden age of violinists. A discussion would not be complete without including David Oistrakh, Fritz Kreisler, Yehudi Menuhin and Isaac Stern. Heifetz and his teacher Leopold Auer were viewed as traitors -
Boom, Boom, Boom! January 8th, 2013 Arnold Schoenberg Brettl-Lieder (excerpts) The French cabaret, around the turn of the 20th century, was much more then a simple place for drinking, dancing and entertainment. It was a gathering place for the artistic and literary elite that also served -
At the Cusp of a New Year January 7th, 2013 With the start of a new year, it is always good to summarise the highlights of the previous one and reflect on ways to make the very most of the one to come. The year 2012 has been busy. We