Category: Classical Composers

Princess Zinaida Alexandrovna Volkonskaya (1789–1862) is a prominent figure in early 19th-century Russian cultural history, known not only for her talent as a singer and composer but also for her role as a salon hostess and patron of the arts. After many years of active cultural activity in Russia and Europe, Volkonskaya finally settled in … Continue reading “Princess Zinaida Volkonskaya’s Romanesque estate: a cultural paradise in 19th-century Europe”

In September 1815, Italy’s most influential impresario, Domenico Barbaja, summoned the young Gioachino Rossini to Naples with a mission: This audience needs to be stunned! There are no subtleties—only No tenderness— only boiling passion. No nuances—sing at full power. And with that command, Barbaja offered a final suggestion: “I recommend Isabella Colbran to you.” There … Continue reading “Rossini in Love: Passion, Voice, and the Art of Bel Canto”

What does it mean for music to be intimate? Is it a matter of small form, quiet volume, or introspective content? Or is it something more elusive — an atmosphere, a feeling of being allowed into someone’s emotional world? Romanticism ushered in a new focus on subjectivity and introspection. Unlike literature, where intimacy could be … Continue reading “Intimate Space in Classical Music”

Imagine that you have found an old, dusty music book with melodies written hundreds of years ago for a lute or harpsichord. They are beautiful, but their sounds seem distant and fragile. Now imagine that a genius artist took these melodies and coloured them with the richest and velvety tones of a modern string orchestra, … Continue reading “Music from a time capsule: Respighi’s ‘Antique Arias and Dances’”

  Among the paintings in the Oxford University collection, a ceremonial portrait of a young man by an unknown artist stands out. This portrait, known through several copies and the source of numerous unanswered questions, conveys the aristocratic image of an English cavalier. He is depicted full-length, leaning on a cane—a symbol of courtly etiquette—and … Continue reading “William Lawes: A Seventeenth-Century Court Musician Reflected in English History”

A glance over the vast creative legacy of Pyotr Tchaikovsky reveals a recurring fascination with Italy—evident in the titles, motifs, and moods of many of his works. From Romeo and Juliet and Francesca da Rimini to the Neapolitan Song from the Children’s Album, Italian references abound. Among these is the lesser-known chamber work Souvenir de … Continue reading “Tchaikovsky’s Italian Holidays”

When we think of the great composers, we often imagine them wholly absorbed in their art — tirelessly sketching melodies, chasing harmonies, and living entirely within the world of music. But even the most devoted musical minds had hobbies and passions outside their creative work — and some of them might surprise you. Let’s take … Continue reading “Curious Passions of Musical Geniuses”

Paul Dukas was famously self-critical, leaving behind a relatively small body of work. Yet The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, composed in 1897, instantly became his signature piece — and remains one of the most beloved orchestral hits of all time. Some music tells a story so vividly it feels like you’re watching an animated film or reading … Continue reading “Magic Out of Control: Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”

What happens when an Irish piano virtuoso becomes one of the most influential musical figures in Imperial Russia? That’s the story explored in my new short documentary, John Field: The Adventures of an Irishman in Russia. Often overshadowed by the fame of his musical ‘successor’ Frédéric Chopin, John Field was a pioneering composer of the … Continue reading “🎬 John Field: The Adventures of an Irishman in Russia”