Unexpectedly, Schumann’s “Spring Symphony” had been a great success at its first performance under Felix Mendelssohn in 1841. In the wake of this triumph and his marriage to Clara, Schumann decided that an orchestra would “best portray his celebratory feelings.”

Rhythm, melody and harmony. This is the trinity behind all music, and the foundation of it. Rhythm, melody and harmony are the most basic elements, and the ones from which all musical progress has derived. A musician will spend a

Maria Malibran is one of the most intriguing and tragic figures in nineteenth-century operatic history, whose biography reads like an opera synopsis. She came from a renowned, influential, and extremely dysfunctional musical family. Her career was staggeringly successful. She sang

Violinist María Dueñas burst into the international spotlight by winning a whole series of international violin competitions, among them the 2021 Menuhin Violin Competition. For her performance of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4, Dueñas actually wrote her own cadenza. She

Introduction: The Importance of Brazilian Repertoire In piano teaching, Western classical music often dominates repertoire choices, often neglecting the diversity and richness of other musical traditions. This research advocates for including Brazilian piano works as pedagogical resources to foster diversity,

In her prime, Maria Callas was a symbol of jet-set elegance and a media phenomenon. Many credited Calles with one of the most dynamic bel canto voices in operatic history, yet her story of personal life often seemed to eclipse

Several years ago, I wrote an article entitled The Dog Ate My Music- Excuses for Not Practicing. Those of us who are musicians have tried these excuses with varying success; teachers have heard them all. Just like in other professions,

Let us continue with our exploration of unfinished classical masterpieces. Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 “Finale” When Anton Bruckner died in 1896, he left a major symphony in D minor incomplete. Dedicated to “the beloved God,” this symphony No. 9,