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Maurice Steger
Paganini of the Recorder
Frequently hailed as the “Paganini of the recorder,” Maurice Steger is known for his extraordinary virtuosity and dynamic stage presence. Combining technical precision with expressive flair, Steger breathed new life into the recorder repertoire. Beyond his performing career, which has
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Conquering Stage Fright – Scientific Methods to Overcome Performance Anxiety
Stage fright – that unsettling mix of nervous energy, self-doubt, and racing heartbeats – is a common experience among musicians, who are still finding their confidence. Whether it’s an open mic night, a local recital, or just playing for friends,
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The Seven Students of Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Horowitz was one of the most famous pianists of his generation. He preferred performing to teaching, and only took on a handful of students over the course of his career. The count of how many varies, because Horowitz was
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What Was Brahms Really Like? Pianist Ilona Eibenschütz Tells All
Johannes Brahms’s carefully crafted music can be difficult for some listeners to immediately connect with. Sometimes it takes the memories of the colleagues who knew him best to paint a more human portrait of the man. One incredible source of
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Rachmaninoff’s Fiery Concerto Brilliance (Part 2)
Mikhaïl Pletnev with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth in 2023, Mikhaïl Pletnev and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France under Dima Slobodeniouk embarked on an ambitious musical adventure of performing the composer’s four piano concertos over two consecutive evenings.
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Five of the Greatest Martha Argerich Performances
Martha Argerich is one of the greatest pianists of all time, period. Her career has spanned over seven decades and multiple continents. We listeners are lucky to enjoy many incredible performances on disc and on film. To get a sense
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Will Trump’s Tariffs Destroy Music Education in America?
Since Inauguration Day 2025, the world has been scrambling to keep up with rapidly changing developments surrounding American tariffs. President Trump made the imposition of tariffs a central promise of his 2024 campaign, routinely calling the word “the most beautiful
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Nina Stemme (Born May 11, 1963)
The Voice of Valhalla
Nina Stemme, born Nina Maria Thöldte on 11 May 1963 in Stockholm, Sweden, is widely regarded as one of the greatest dramatic sopranos of her generation. Renowned for her commanding performances in the most challenging operatic roles, particularly in the
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