In the ancient system of Chinese astrology, the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to wish him goodbye before he departed from Earth. Alas, only twelve animals came to bid him farewell. So he rewarded them by naming a year

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Estonian composer Veljo Tormis. Regarded as one of the most prolific and most innovative choral composers of the 20th century, he ceaselessly kept alive the memories of ancient peoples

British pianist Solomon Cutner (1902-1988) was known professionally solely by his first name, ‘Solomon.’ He was born in London and his performing abilities were recognized by age 7. He gave his first concerts at age 10 and then, sensibly, retired

One of the greatest guitarists of all time, considered the grandfather of the classical guitar, Andrés Segovia (1893-1987) hails from Spain, from a humble family that opposed his interest in a career in music, especially the guitar. Without Segovia the

Pianist Josef Hofmann (1876-1957) was born outside Kraków, Poland, to music parents. His father was Kazimierz Hofmann, who was a noted composer, conductor of the Kraków theatre, and professor of piano and harmony at the Warsaw Conservatory; his mother was

A conversation about giants could not leave out the double bass and we have three wonderful players to introduce you to, if you have not encountered them before. Born in Russia in 1874 Serge Koussevitzky was primarily known as the

There was a time, not so long ago and at least within my living memory, when critics were regarded as significant arbiters of taste and culture who could, seemingly, make or break a career with one well-aimed stroke of their

He was described as a “sound wizard and a musician with an unparalleled intensity.” And after seven decades of working with top orchestras, high-octane performers and cutting-edge composers, the French conductor Georges Prêtre has died at the age of 92.