News Flash

2024-08-10

What is a Cat Piano?

When the term "cat piano" is mentioned, various whimsical images may come to mind: a furry creature with piano keys for teeth, or a piano where cats yowl as keys are pressed, resulting in nails scratching their tails.
Read more at openculture.com

2024-08-09

Contemporary Classic and Mood Music?

Minimalist piano music has overtaken classical music in popularity, with artists like Nils Frahm garnering massive audiences on Spotify's "chill" playlists. Despite this success, these composers face disdain from traditional classical circles.
Read more at theguardian.com

2024-08-08

Learn About the Great Ginzburg

In Soviet pianism, three notable artists are distinguished by their significant influence in Russia contrasted with the limited recognition beyond the Eastern bloc. While Sofronitsky and Feinberg are gaining rightful acknowledgment, Grigory Ginzburg, continues to be the least acknowledged and perhaps the most misconstrued among these revered musicians.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2024-08-07

Tchaikovsky's Seasons

There is Tchaikovsky grand size but also in smaller size. The "12 Characteristic Scenes", stand out as favorites, offering an opportunity for competent pianists to connect with the music's lyricism and emotions without requiring advanced technical abilities.
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-08-06

Taking on The Mega Busoni Concerto

Busoni's Piano Concerto, composed by an Italian who passed away a century ago, spans 70 minutes with five movements. It features solo piano, grand orchestration, and a male-voice choir that remains quiet until the last movement. The chorus's hidden presence enhances the work's esteemed reputation in the musical repertoire.
Read more at theguardian.com

2024-08-05

New Film: "The Gift - Paderewski's Last Will"

Dr. Justyna Kica and her team from the I.J. Paderewski Center, alongside Prof. Maciej Zdanek, discuss the fulfillment of the pianist's last will during the communist era and showcase treasures from his book collection in Switzerland.
Read more at youtu.be

2024-08-04

Salieri: Much More than Mediocre

Often viewed merely as a supporting character in another's biopic, Antonio Salieri deserves his own film. A hardworking composer overshadowed by genius, he's portrayed as a mundane establishment figure compared to Mozart's free-spirited brilliance.
Read more at classical-music.com

2024-08-03

Schnabel the Composer

Legendary pianist Artur Schnabel aimed to study composition with Anton Bruckner, but Bruckner dismissively stated, "I don't teach children", and refused him. Ultimately, Schnabel learned from the renowned Viennese theorist, Eusebius Mandyczewski, Brahms' complete works editor.
Read more at interlude.hk

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