The piano was Ludwig van Beethoven’s favourite instrument. He was a virtuoso at the keyboard, and his compositions for piano “became a vehicle for experimenting not only with the fundamental aspects and techniques of music, but also a means of

“It is no coincidence that the literature of ‘original compositions’ for four hands is limited to this period….its true master is Schubert.” Quoted from Theodor Adorno’s article, “Four Hands, Once Again.” Music for piano four hands came to popularity almost

The clarinet often feels a bit left out when sitting next to its windy friends in the orchestra. There they all are, the flute, oboe, and bassoon, sitting high and mighty, all firm fixtures in the group when the new

1. You’ll recognize the work, since this is the first movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, but who’s performing it? • Is this Fritz Reiner leading the Chicago in a large, old-style recording? • Is this John Eliot Gardiner and

Why does one choose a piece of music over another? The best cello pieces ever written are, for me, the ones that I return to over and over that always seem to offer new insights and emotions. The greatest repertoire

When I was a little girl, my parents took me to the Cathedral in Hong Kong. I just loved that huge space that seemed to have so many memories. But what was really fascinating was the fact that it was

Not just in times of lockdown or isolation, music is the invention that comforts us. During this pandemic, I have had ample time to discover new music that helps me to relax. I’ve found that it is early music that