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’”
William Lawes: A Seventeenth-Century Court Musician Reflected in English History
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”
Tchaikovsky’s Italian Holidays
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”
Curious Passions of Musical Geniuses
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”
Magic Out of Control: Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
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”
🎬 John Field: The Adventures of an Irishman in Russia
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”
Echoes in Silence: The Unheard Genius of Fanny Mendelssohn
‘The boy is gifted, the girl is a genius’. That’s what the music teachers of young Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn told their parents. Expectations for brilliance ran high—their grandfather, Moses Mendelssohn, was a leading philosopher of the Enlightenment. But the family’s musical talent came from another branch of the tree: their mother, Lea Mendelssohn, an … Continue reading “Echoes in Silence: The Unheard Genius of Fanny Mendelssohn”
When Titans Collide: Rachmaninoff and Scriabin’s Interwoven Fates
They were classmates, but never friends. The relationship between the two celebrities appears strange from the outside. They are almost the same age, coming from the same stratum of intelligentsia – military nobility, students of the same professors of the Moscow Conservatory. Rachmaninoff and Scriabin were almost the same age, but they were dissimilar … Continue reading “When Titans Collide: Rachmaninoff and Scriabin’s Interwoven Fates”
The ‘Holy Fool’ Mussorgian
The music of Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky, author of the masterpieces Boris Godunov, Khovanshchina, and Sorochinskaya Yarmarka (The Fair at Sorochyntsi), strikes with dramatic truth and simplicity of presentation. His work is characterised by ingenuity and innovative techniques combined with folk traditions. However, due to alcohol addiction, the composer failed to realise his full potential. Modest’s … Continue reading “The ‘Holy Fool’ Mussorgian”
The Evolution of Dress Code in Classical Music: Tradition vs. Self-Expression
The world of classical music has traditionally upheld a strict dress code, predominantly characterised by black and white uniforms that have been the norm for centuries. As society progresses, the understanding of identity and artistic expression also shifts, creating opportunities for female, non-binary, and transgender musicians to challenge traditional norms and expectations in the music … Continue reading “The Evolution of Dress Code in Classical Music: Tradition vs. Self-Expression”