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2024-08-02

The Amazing Nina Simone

Nina Simone was a remarkable talent, blending influences from Bach to blues, earning her status as one of jazz's greatest female musicians. Yet, she viewed the jazz label as dismissive, citing classical music as her true inspiration.
Read more at classical-music.com

2024-08-01

Lim's Emperor in London?

The issue stemmed from the BBC Symphony Orchestra's miscommunication in this dialogue-driven concerto. Under conductor Paavo Järvi, the orchestra's initially vibrant performance faded in the late-July heat, leading to poor wind tuning and a lack of cohesive musical direction.
Read more at theguardian.com

2024-07-31

The Visionary Grainger

Pianist, composer and inventor Percy Grainger took his music seriously, yet he often made provocative statements. His unique lifestyle—shown in his bath towel designs, bizarre inventions, and disregard for conventions—overwhelmed many, leading some to see him as a whimsical musical jester.
Read more at classical-music.com

2024-07-30

Fujita’s 72 Preludes

After his acclaimed recording of Mozart's Piano Sonatas, award-winning Japanese pianist Mao Fujita embarks on a new project featuring 24 Preludes by Chopin, Scriabin, and Yashiro, merging his European life with his Japanese roots.
Read more at broadwayworld.com

2024-07-29

Majorca’s Chopin Festival

Chopin and Valldemossa will unite once more to honor exceptional music. Four talented pianists will perform in August at the Cartoixa as part of the new edition of the Chopin Festival, organized by the Associacio Festivals Chopin de Valldemossa.
Read more at majorcadailybulletin.com

2024-07-27

New Release by Pianist/Lawyer

Paul Wee and his collaborators excel in bringing these obscure works to life. Unlike Hamelin, who is an incredible pianist but slightly distant, Wee's playing exudes warmth and Romantic flair, blending steel with lyricism and sparkle, showcasing his exceptional skill in the Bronsart Concerto's slow movement.
Read more at limelight-arts.com.au

2024-07-26

Soaring Piano Interest in Japan

In Japan, piano lessons for adults are experiencing a surge in popularity, with many individuals who took up the hobby during the pandemic now seeking to refine their skills. This trend is particularly prevalent among middle-aged and older adults.
Read more at mainichi.jp

2024-07-25

Interview with Maria Joao Pires at 80

Renowned pianist, considered one of the greatest of our time, has significantly reduced her concert appearances in recent years. Her focus on outside interests has consumed most of her attention and time, leaving music in the background.
Read more at crosseyedpianist.com

2024-07-24

Cleveland International Piano Competition at 50

Renowned pianist Margarita Shevchenko reflects on her 1995 Gold Medal win at the Cleveland International Piano Competition. She recounts her early training under Vera Gornostayeva and Sergei Babayan, her impressions of Cleveland, and the significance of Chopin's music in her artistry.
Read more at ideastream.org

2024-07-23

A Ravel Marathon

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet's lifelong dream was to perform the entire solo piano repertoire of Maurice Ravel in a single afternoon, showcasing his mastery of the composer's complex and intricate works.
Read more at sfcv.org

2024-07-22

The LEGO Ideas Grand Piano

This grand piano model, comprising 3662 pieces, is a stunning visual masterpiece that also comes to life with moving keys, pedals, and a motor, making it a unique treasure for LEGO and music aficionados alike.
Read more at ynetnews.com

2024-07-21

A Billionaire's Piano

Based Upon, a UK-based firm, recently unveiled its latest piano design, the Twist/D, at London's Eye of the Collector trade show in June 2024. The autonomous piano marks the company's first foray into this area, featuring its signature twist design.
Read more at yankedesign.com

2024-07-20

Pianist Aimard's Powerful Roots

French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard is a renowned authority in contemporary music, illuminating both new and past repertoire. With a distinguished international career spanning decades, he has built a vast discography while maintaining a strong commitment to teaching and sharing his expertise.
Read more at theviolinchannel.com

2024-07-19

Is Lim the Greatest Now?

Stephen Hough, British pianist and jury member, praised Yunchan Lim's performance, stating that he brought a unique quality to the piece, blending control with emotional intensity, power with tender lyricism, defying the notion that piano competition winners all sound alike.
Read more at theguardian.com

2024-07-18

Composers' Chopin Dedications

Many composers eagerly sought to dedicate their own compositions to Chopin as a testament to their profound admiration and reverence for the maestro. Even in the years following his passing,
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-07-17

A Supportive Musical Relocation

Since the early 20th century, Paris has been a haven for African Americans seeking refuge from the harsh realities of racism in the United States. For generations of Black Americans, the City of Light presented a beacon of possibility, fresh starts, and escape from racial discrimination's constant din.
Read more at andscape.com

2024-07-16

Beethoven's Sonata 31 Under the Microscope

Beethoven's Sonata Op 110 was initially overlooked, but its recognition grew thanks to Franz Liszt and his students. Liszt performed it publicly at least twice and taught it in his masterclasses, with some of his comments recorded by Amy Fay, Carl Lachmund and August Göllerich.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2024-07-16

Lang Lang's Olympic Run

Chinese pianist Lang Lang joined the Olympic torch relay in Paris, carrying the torch away from the historic Pantheon on Sunday. The relay's first day in the host city culminated in a fireworks display and cauldron lighting ceremony, coinciding with France's Bastille Day celebrations.
Read more at cgtn.com

2024-07-15

Japanese Jazz Pianist Akiyoshi

Toshiko Akiyoshi, a Japanese-American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader, has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning over seven decades. With 14 Grammy nominations, she's a true legend, still actively touring at 94 and making history as the first Japanese musician to attend Berklee College of Music.
Read more at classicfm.com

2024-07-14

Pianist Thibaudet's Many Senses

Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet's love for wine was cultivated during family trips to Burgundy, where he developed a passion for the region's rich wine culture. He now combines this interest with music as an artistic advisor at the Festival Musique et Vin au Clos Vougeot, blending classical concerts with wine tastings.
Read more at winespectator.com

2024-07-13

Considering a Summer Music Festival?

Maybe you want to combine your summer travels with a musical twist? Explore Musical America's comprehensive list of Summer Festivals 2024, featuring an eclectic mix of events that will enhance your vacation experien
Read more at musicalamerica.com

2024-07-12

An Irish Blended Pianist and Composer

Gerard O'Donnell, a classically trained pianist, blends Irish storytelling traditions with classical elegance, creating music that is both minimalist and lyrical. His compositions fuse pagan fervour with refined harmony, reflecting the unique spirit of Ireland's rich cultural heritage.
Read more at irishpost.com

2024-07-10

Chopin in Colombia and Boganyi

The Federico Chopin Institute in Colombia, established in 1998 by the InterColombia Cultural Corporation, aims to honor the life and work of the renowned Polish composer as part of a global network of institutes connected to the Federico Chopin Institute in Warsaw.
Read more at thecitypaperbogota.com

2024-07-09

Pianist's Creative Grief

When pianist Adam Tendler inherited a manila envelope full of cash, he swiftly conceived a plan to transform the unexpected windfall. Weeks after his father's passing, he began commissioning piano solos themed around inheritance, using music to process grief and create a lasting legacy.
Read more at ebar.com