Top 5 Operas for People who Hate Opera
This list is for those those who cringe at opera’s lengthy runtimes and lachrymose plotlines but have never actually seen a “fat lady” sing. The following … Read more
LISTS
Honoring Berlioz’s legacy: A selection of seven “psychedelic” Classical pieces
In 1969, Leonard Bernstein presented and conducted “Berlioz takes a trip,” part of the Young People’s concert series.” On that occasion, he discussed and played … Read more
Seven Essential Things to Consider Before Becoming a Musician
Making a career choice can be tough, and it’s no different for musicians. While some will be lucky enough to have been identified as child … Read more
Seven Most Interesting Facts About Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
There are classical composers who represent the 20th century American sound more acutely and specifically than Samuel Barber does, but no other who has come … Read more
How to become a great composer in 10 steps
If you’ve been slaving over your sheet music, listening to non-stop Mozart for some inspiration, or spending hours on end at the piano trying to … Read more
Six Must-Haves of Newly Released Albums
• Héroïque: French Opera Arias – Bryan Hymel and the Prague Philharmonia, Cond. Emmanuel Villaume The popularity and artistic success of American tenor Bryan Hymel … Read more
Music by the Moonlight: the Greatest Moon-Inspired Classical Masterpieces
The earliest depiction of the Moon is a 5000-year-old rock carving at Knowth, Ireland, and it would be wrong not to mention Vincent van Gogh’s … Read more
Six Most Interesting Facts About Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Even though Ravel’s music was innovative, he did not follow the trend towards atonality Schoenberg pioneered. But, rather, applied the aesthetic of the New French … Read more
A Girl on the Podium: How Female Conductors are Breaking New Ground
These are words you do not expect to hear from a young, professional conductor in 2013. Yet, the minted maestro of the Oslo Philharmonic, Vasily … Read more
The 10 Greatest Violin Players of All Time
The violin’s long history, going back five centuries, as well as its musical versatility, are two major challenges when trying to come up with a … Read more
Six Most Interesting Facts About Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884)
“With God’s help and grace, I will be a Mozart in composition and a Liszt in technique.” – from an 1843 diary entry Feel free … Read more
DIVA: Counting Down the Top 10 Sopranos of the 20th Century
Consider Juno, goddess of marriage and childbirth, antagonizing Aeneas as he tries to found Rome because she holds a grudge against the Trojans. Or Minerva, goddess … Read more
The 10 Greatest Classical Pianists of All Time
There are so many issues involved in choosing the top classical pianists. Should it be based on their technical ability, their reputation or following, the … Read more
Ten Things Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Musicians
Part of the reason of the rise of this new figure is the liberation of independent music from the gatekeepers. It means that nowadays, a … Read more
7 Famous Classical Musicians Who Suffered From Stage Fright
Are you one of the growing number of performers who are acknowledging that they face the challenge of stage fright? It seems like the topic … Read more