Brahms, Paganini Variations The theme of Paganini’s Caprice No. 24 has inspired numerous composers to craft a set of variations based on it. In this series, we have already featured the variations of Rachmaninov, Liszt, Lutoslavksi, and Fazil Say. But I don’t think we can … Read more
Paderewski, Nocturne Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) was one of the most celebrated concert pianists of his time. Born in Poland, which was then a part of the Russian Empire, he studied at the Warsaw Conservatory and took a teaching position there. He launched his concert … Read more
Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 21, Op. 53 “Waldstein” Professor Carol will be presenting a webinar in our “Milestones” series on Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (“Eroica”). If you’re reading this after that webinar has occurred, all of our webinar recordings are indexed here. Composed in 1804, … Read more
Brahms: Intermezzo, Op. 116, No. 6 My father was a big Brahms fan. At the age of 5 or so, I was not often allowed to handle his collection of easily breakable 78 rpm recordings, but I can remember wearing out an vinyl LP of the … Read more
Google goes Classical. Or, at least High Baroque. Think of the millions of people who have seen Google’s doodle-logo (still up today) showing a fortepiano played by a wigged fellow, with the words Google etched on the side of the instrument. Think of the slice … Read more
Ravel: Valses Nobles et Sentimentales Waltzes were once scandalous, as Professor Carol likes to point out. The court dances of the 17th and 18th centuries featured intricate footwork; a couple’s fingertips might touch lightly. In the waltz, however, a man would grab a woman by … Read more
Liszt: La Campanella The name of Liszt resounded across Europe in the 19th century. A celebrity on the level of a Frank Sinatra or Elvis, his piano playing stunned everyone who heard it. Women really did throw diamond necklaces at him and faint in the … Read more
Chopin: Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) wrote almost exclusively for the piano and is best known for short character pieces such as noctures, études, and mazurkas. It is somewhat remarkable that this idiosyncratic output earned Chopin a solid position among … Read more
