[caption id="attachment_3082" align="alignright" width="237"] A portrait of Haydn by Thomas Hardy, painted in London in 1791[/caption] It was 219 years ago today â on March 19, 1799 â that Joseph Haydnâs epic, one hour and forty-five minute long oratorio The Creation (Die Schöpfung) received its public premiere in Vienna. Completed in 1798 when Haydn was…
âWhat Right Had He to Write This Thing?â Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) and Vaslav Nijinsky (1889-1950) in 1911; Nijinsky is costumed as Petrushka A happy vernal equinox to everyone and sundry! Yes, technically the first day of spring in 2023 was yesterday, March 20. But I was taught that the first day of spring is usually…
The building in which Schubert died at KettenbrĂŒckengasse 6 in Vienna November 19 is a sad day for us all. On November 19, 1828 - 190 years ago today â Franz Schubert died in Vienna at his brother Ferdinandâs third floor flat at KettenbrĂŒckengasse 6 (in Schubertâs day, the address was Firmiansgasse 694). The building…
Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999) in 1976 Mondayâs Music History Monday post marked the birth â on April 22, 1916 â of the distinguished American-British violinist, conductor, and teacher Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999). During the course of that post, I wrote that Menuhin: âwas a man of unwavering moral integrity and courage: a soft-spoken, kind, gentle, and elegant…
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) in 1898, the year before he began his Symphony No. 4 Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) was the greatest opera composer never to have composed an opera. Huh? Once again: Gustav Mahler was the greatest opera composer never to have composed an opera. That statement is intended to be neither ironic nor provocative. Nor,…
[caption id="attachment_1747" align="alignright" width="300"] Dmitri Shostakovich in 1960[/caption] The Premiere That Almost Wasn't: Shostakovich's Symphony No. 13 Wednesday, December 19, 1962 was significant for something that didnât happen. On the day before - Tuesday, December 18, 1962 - Dmitri Shostakovichâs Symphony No. 13 received its premiere in Moscow with Kirill Kondrashin conducting the bass soloist…
Roy Harris (1898-1979) I continue on my self-avowed mini-mission to bring to you some of the most glorious music (and recorded performances) I know, music by mid-century, so-called American âpopulistâ composers. This week and next will feature symphonies by two composers who are generally considered to be the two greatest American composers of symphonies to…
Together with OraTV CEO Jon Housman, I have developed a show entitled: Scandalous Overtures in which each episode focuses on a conspiracy, or a peccadillo, or a dirty little secret from the life of a composer. Aside from the purely salacious, voyeuristic joy of dishing dirt on famous dead people, the point of this series…
From one of the most trusted names in continuing education-the knowledge you need to unlock "the most abstract and sublime of all the arts." Whether you're listening in a concert hall or on your iPod, concert music has the power to move you. The right knowledge can deepen the ability of this music to edify,…
He was terrific. I would take him into any setting. May have finally met someone I donât want to follow. I was very impressed. One of Americaâs great teachers, no doubt. And you can quote me on that. âGary Hamel, Strategy Guru, London Business School Greenberg is a brilliant teacher--clear, insightful and never dull. His…