The Contribution of Antonio Vivaldi to Baroque Music
It is consistently a challenge to summarise the life of an individual in around a thousand words. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), was not only a phenomenally … Read more
It is consistently a challenge to summarise the life of an individual in around a thousand words. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), was not only a phenomenally … Read more
One outstanding characteristic of the Romantic period was the rise of the virtuoso pianist-composer. Many features of the Romantic Era were somewhat extreme, particularly in … Read more
In this day and age of top ten, best one hundred, and all-time greatest, it’s challenging to be asked to write an article on the … Read more
I was certain that I knew this little piece of Beethoven’s quite well having played it, listened to it, and taught it for decades. Following … Read more
Best is quite a troublesome word to associate with almost anything, but here I have the dilemma of attributing it to German composers. In the … Read more
Before exploring the finer points of this title, let’s pause to remember where the piano originated from. Born on the 4th May 1655, Bartolomeo Cristofori … Read more
More often than not, women’s important contribution to music has been overlooked, neglected and ignored. There are probably more forgotten women composers than there are … Read more
Frederick Chopin has to be one of the most iconic composers of his age. In so many ways he embodies the Romantic image of a … Read more
Many of us are very familiar with the equation E=MC2 and the many pictures of the wild-haired scientist who created it, but what do you know … Read more
The influence of Latin-American culture on music has been quite profound. It has gently filtered its way into nearly every genre of music from classical … Read more
It’s often said that history is written by the victorious. In a cultural context, this is no different, especially the further one travels back in … Read more
With the distance of one hundred and ten years between us now and the premiere of Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring, it can be … Read more
Whether overtly or obscurely, the piano has become an object of focus in literature and art for more than two centuries. It has been featured … Read more
Of the many composers I’ve discussed in these articles, Frédéric Chopin has to be one of the most adored and admired. Not only was he … Read more
Music for many people is the most powerful art form. It can quickly evoke a range of emotional responses, change models and mindsets, and enhance … Read more