I really enjoy reading biographies of historical figures, authors, scientists, and musicians. And while it is fascinating to read a detailed description of a person’s life, biographies are not just presentations of facts and figures. We get to know a

The music culture in Latin America is vibrant and fascinating. Unfortunately, the music of Latin America tends to get pigeonholed by a few common characteristics while in reality, the musical features vary throughout the countries of Latin America. Women composers

A good many commentators consider Martha Argerich the greatest living pianist today. While such statements are always debatable, it is difficult to think of a more universally loved and respected musician. Her performances and recordings are as inward as they

Who was Felix Yaniewicz, and why is he important in the history of Scotland’s cultural life? This fascinating story of music and migration begins with the discovery of a beautiful square piano, bearing the signature of Felix Yaniewicz. Found in

Germany’s most popular oboist, Albrecht Mayer was born on 3 June 1965 in Erlangen. As a child he sang in the choir of Bamberg Cathedral, but he soon found his love for the oboe. After studies with Gerhard Scheuer, Georg

Born in the small village of Lower Broadheath near Worcester on 2 June 1857, Edward Elgar was the fourth of seven children born to William Henry Elgar and Ann Greening. William Elgar hailed from Dover and had been working as

When Joseph Haydn peacefully closed his eyes for the last time at 12:40 am on 31 May 1809, he was considered Europe’s most illustrious and famous composer. I have previously written a blog on Haydn’s Funeral and the macabre way

Ensembles and Bands That Preserve and Evolve Ancestral Musical Expressions It is a horrifying fact, but as many as half of the world’s 7,000 languages are expected to be extinct by the end of this century. “The effect of language