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
CLASSICAL
What would an argument sound like on a musical instrument?
Violinist, composer, conductor and also actor Aleksey Igudesman might have an answer for that, and that answer bears the title “Chilekli Devekushu”. In a virtuoso-like performance … Read more
Happy Birthday, Shostakovich-Style
As far as we know Dmitri Shostakovich never recorded his own arrangement of “Good Morning to All” (1893)/”Happy Birthday to You” (1912), but Trio Telepatico’s … Read more
You Can’t Believe How Much Rachmaninoff Influenced Popular Music
The creators behind this video have it completely right. There’s a reason why Rachmaninoff’s music is so widely known and almost unanimously appreciated: for the past century, it … Read more
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
The Brooklyn Duo plays Downton Abbey
The Brooklyn Duo are a piano and cello collaboration founded in 2014. But already within the first year of their existence, they’ve made quite a … Read more
A Fascinating Piano Transcription of Ysaÿe’s Solo Violin Sonata No. 3 “Ballade”
It is self-evident that Eugéne Ysaÿe (1858-1931) wrote his own Violin Sonata No. 3, but he might not have considered himself its only author; he … Read more
These Four Little Swans From Japan Will Bring A Smile To Your Face
‘Pas de quatre’ is a French term referring to dance in ballet among four people, literally translating as “step for four.” One of the most … Read more
Is There Still Such a Thing as Classical Music?
Former cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, who was forced to retire from performing after suffering a neck injury, commented that there is no such thing as … Read more
This Hilarious Conductor Perfectly Captures How Orchestra Rehearsals Go
It’s not easy being a conductor during practice, or so this humorous sketch would have us believe. A great way to get you or your friends … Read more
An Interview With Taylor Davis, a Violinist and Composer With a Love of Video Game, Anime and Movie Soundtracks
When Taylor Davis was eight years old, she was sitting in an all-school Christmas assembly and saw a young girl take the stage with her … 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
Ethan Hawke’s Documentary About Pianist Seymour Bernstein in Theatres This Month
Actor Ethan Hawke is paying homage to pianist Seymour Bernstein, a largely unknown artist, with his first documentary Seymour: An Introduction. As NPR Classical summarizes … Read more
Eric Whitacre gives Miley Cyrus’s ‘Wrecking Ball’ a choral makeover
During the 2014 iTunes festival, award-winning composer Eric Whitacre wowed the audience with a choral version of Miley Cyrus’s Wrecking Ball, with the participation of … Read more