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
Latest article
Spotlight
-
Alfred Schnittke August 2nd, 2023 “I set down a beautiful chord on paper—and suddenly it rusts” The music of Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998) is marked by an intense expressiveness, an unpredictable flow of ideas, an innate sense of drama, and a natural lyricism. Turning his back -
Zlatomir Fung August 1st, 2023 Care in Every Little Detail Zlatomir Fung Plays Dall’Abaco’s 11 Caprices for Solo Cello American Cellist Zlatomir Fung is quickly establishing a reputation as one of the country’s top young soloists. Receiving a prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2020 -
On This Day
1 August: Jordi Savall Was Born August 1st, 2023One of the most important architects of the current revaluation of historical music, Jordi Savall has dedicated his spectacular creative vitality to themes of cultural exchange and communication transcending borders. A concert performer, teacher, researcher, and creator of new musical -
10 Most Exciting Mandolin Concertos July 31st, 2023 Did you know that the smallest member of the lute family is known as the mandolin? The mandolin is a plucked string instrument with a neck and round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening -
Five of the Longest Symphonies Ever Composed July 30th, 2023 Symphonic composers are convinced that what they have to say is important. They have to be. Not only are these composers spending months or years preparing a score during the composition process, they’re also asking a room of a hundred -
Children’s Operas in the 1900s July 30th, 2023 What is a children’s opera? To my understanding, a children’s opera is an opera but shorter in length and often with themes suitable for children to watch. The most known and oldest children’s opera perhaps traces all the way back -
Bernard Herrmann’s Wuthering Heights Suite July 29th, 2023 Bernard Herrmann (1911–1975) is best known for his film music, particularly for Alfred Hitchcock’s evocative thrillers. His first film score was for Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane (1941) and one of his last was for Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver (1976). Before -
Style Over Substance?
The Ascendance of Image in Classical Music July 29th, 2023In a recent article for InterludeHK, British pianist Peter Donohoe said “it’s all about smiling and being sexy for the camera, and if you get the right photographer anyone can do it. It’s not enough to make a music career