music-couple

I do. She does, too.

While there’s no magic formula for clinching success when two people tie the knot, the old adage of ‘opposites attract’ has proven a winner for many a couple, allowing them to mix and enrich contrasting personas. But, for many musicians, … Read More →

Vastnetsov

Podcast: A legend lives on

Although Reinhold Glière’s Symphony No. 3, subtitled Il’ya Muromets, is rarely performed or recorded, this new Naxos recording confirms that the work deserves the attention of a much wider audience. Performed by the Buffalo Philharmonic and conducted by JoAnn Falletta, … Read More →

doublestopnotation

Sounds more effective

A few weeks ago we looked at the capability of instruments to make a variety of changes to their usual timbre. We examined the history of pizzicato and col legno, just a couple of tools in the string department’s box … Read More →

abraham-lincoln

Presidential suites

Mention music and American politics in the same breath and many people’s thoughts will immediately spring to anti-war songs. The passing late last month of Pete Seeger aged 94 is a reminder of his contribution to this powerfully simple milieu … Read More →

8.572735

Podcast: Curtain up!

If the purpose of an opera overture is to prepare the audience for the mood and emotions of the opera that follows, Rossini was a master. And yet, the overture was almost an after-thought to him. Rossini usually composed it … Read More →