Every semester we receive questions asking how students should approach the “Putting It All Together” sections in the Discovering Music text. Many of you know that each unit contains a set of projects organized around three principles: traditional academic research; exercises in comparison and contrast; and … Read more
Schubert, Impromptu in B-flat, Op. 142 Franz Schubert (1797-1828) produced two sets of four impromptus in 1827. An impromptu, loosely translated as “offhand,” fit the times as a character piece suitable for the aristocratic salons. The salons—gatherings in private homes—had become the critical source of patronage in … Read more
I’m spending my birthday in Central Eastern Europe this year. We’re coming into the final stretch of our tour, leaving Vienna, enjoying Bratislava for an overnight, and then reveling in our last three days together in Prague. We’ve visited palaces, cathedrals, monuments, and castles galore. … Read more
Weber, Bassoon Concerto How often have you been to a concert or recital featuring solo bassoon? Probably not many, if any at all. Unless you’re a music student attending the performances of your friends, or required to attend a ongoing series of student performances, you … Read more
The bells are ringing at 6 p.m. in Weimar, Germany, as I look directly at the dome of a tiny Russian Orthodox church. This church is so small it would fit inside a lecture room at a university. It was built in 1860 to be … Read more
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Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 12, K414 Almost a year ago we featured a performance by Buskaid, a group of young black musicians from the townships of South Africa. They have since added some new video. In a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A Major (K. … Read more
The weather is warm in Germany today, with clear blue skies and a hint of fall scent drifting on the occasional breeze. Lush carpets of summer flowers now sport dry heads that break off in surrender to the changing seasons. Any day, the rainy reality … Read more
Ibert, Trois pièces brèves (3rd movement) Writing this series of performance picks gives me the chance to wade through a lot of music. I hope to draw you into that discovery process by showing you some of what I’ve discovered over the years. It’s a continuing process. … Read more
I intended to write about a different topic for today’s post, until this article about a Wells Fargo advertisement drew my attention. Poor Wells Fargo Bank. Perhaps they had no idea that the world is full of people who sacrifice their entire lives to be artists. … Read more
C.P.E. Bach, Cello Concerto in A minor, Wq. 170 Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was born in our adopted home town of Weimar in 1714. Professor Carol frequently speaks about Weimar as the Cultural Capital of Germany, and we recommend it as a base for anyone wanting … Read more