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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Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (1899-1901) / Willem Mengelberg: Concertgebouw Orchestra, 1939 August 23rd, 2012 Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 4 in G major The notated musical score requires not only realization, but also interpretation. In many cases, conductors will work with composers to clarify certain passages or to obtain a sense of musical meaning. However, -
In touch with Han Feng August 21st, 2012 From the stunning red backdrop that opens Anthony Minghella’s Madame Butterfly, first staged at London’s ENO (2005) and then at The Met (2006), it is perfectly natural for dazzled audiences from worldwide to imagine the most complicated setting of the -
Cynthia Lawrence August 14th, 2012 Pavarotti’s partner on stage Listening to Cynthia Lawrence singing ‘Un bel di’ on her website reminds me of the late Mirella Freni. If one’s art is a reflection of the person, Cynthia is just as warm and expressive as her -
Giacomo Puccini: Madame Butterfly August 13th, 2012 You may not be able to name the title but you must have heard the famous soprano aria “Un bel dì vedremo” from Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly or Madama Butterfly. In this article, let us revisit the inspirations and -
A Tale of Discovery August 12th, 2012 It was early 2009 and I was searching for a way to distract my father and myself after the recent death of my mother. My father loved to “talk shop.” Little did I know that I would stumble upon an -
Theme and Variation in Music and Art August 10th, 2012 Frederic Rzewski “The People United Will Never Be Defeated” (1975) Stephen Drury, piano J. S. Bach Goldberg Variations BWV988 (1741) Glenn Gould, piano (1955) Beethoven 33 Variations in C major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, “Diabelli Variations” (1819) -
Years of Pilgrimage
Franz Liszt and Marie d’Agoult II August 9th, 2012Franz Liszt Annees de pelerinage, 1st year, Switzerland, S160/R10 Following the tragic death of her daughter Louise, Marie d’Agoult found herself pregnant with Franz Liszt’s child. Since she was still married to Charles d’Agoult, it was impossible to stay in -
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart versus Muzio Clementi August 8th, 2012 Just imagine being in Vienna on Christmas Eve 1781. Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II — eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband Francis I, and brother of Marie Antoinette — was hosting a reception for the music loving