Eight French Female Composers’ Orchestral Works That You Should Be Aware Of!
The Paris Conservatoire opened its doors in 1795, and it was open to students of both sexes. However, theoretical classes like harmony, counterpoint, and fugue, and composition remained exclusively in…
Eight Pieces for Chamber Orchestra by French Romantic Women Composers
Recently, the “Centre de musique romantique française” at the Venetian Palazzetto Bru Zane has released an impressive anthology of 165 compositions by French Romantic women composers. In essence, they have…
Beautiful Piano Pieces That You Ought To Be Aware Of By French Romantic Women Composers!
In the exciting cultural institution we know as the “Parisian salon,” Salonnières organized gatherings in their homes that brought together writers, artists, philosophers, musicians, and other patrons. “It stimulated socializing…
Here Are Five Of The Longest Symphonies Ever, And The Story Behind Them
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…
This Is The Concluding Episode In The Series Featuring Music Written By Child Prodigies
Felix Mendelssohn Felix Mendelssohn playing for Goethe Before Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) reached the tender age of sixteen, he already had more than 150 surviving compositions to his name. Mendelssohn did not start…
Blindness Could Not Prevent Him From Becoming A Master Of Keyboard Performance During The Spanish Renaissance
Antonio de Cabezón: Libro de Cifra para tecla, harpa y vihuela, “Pavana Con su Glosa” A serious infection robbed Antonio de Cabezón (1510-1566) of his eyesight at a very early…
The Original Papageno: Emanuel Schikaneder (1751–1812), Movers and Shakers of the Music World
He has been called “one of the most talented theatre men of his era,” and we primarily know him for writing the libretto of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera The Magic…
Utterly Despised By The Russian Community In Paris: Nikolai Medtner’s Sonata Reminiscenza, Op. 38, No. 1
The Russian composer and pianist Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951) was utterly despised by the Russian community in Paris. Considered an old fart and hopelessly out of touch with modern times, he…
Meet Some Of The Characters And Personalities From Schubert’s Circle Of Friends
Schubertiade 1868, drawing by Moritz von Schwind Franz Schubert lived the quintessential life of an urban bachelor. He rejected the restraints and dependence of family life and found sustenance and camaraderie…
1,001 Nights in Arabian Folk Tales in Music
Carl Maria von Weber: Abu Hassan, “Overture” Antoine Galland Growing up, I still vividly remember standing in front of what seemed like an endless collection of Middle Eastern folk tales…