While on a trip to Rome In 1770, 14-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart visited the Sistine Chapel with his father to hear the famous Miserere by Gregorio Allegri, a celebrated work only performed inside the church walls on Wednesday and Friday. After hearing the work on Wednesday, young Mozart wrote down from memory the score of …
Constantin “Dinu” Lipatti (1917-1950) was born into a musical family in Bucharest, his father an amateur violinist and his mother a pianist, and Dinu’s first teacher beginning at the age of 4. Dinu’s godfather was the composer and musician George Enescu, who had a very positive influence on him. At age 11, Dinu entered the …
Wojciech Kilar (1932-2013) was born in Lwow (then Poland, now Ukraine), and spent most of his life in the city of Katowice. His initial studies were with Maria Bilińska-Riegerowa (piano) and Artur Malawski (harmony). Through a French government scholarship in 1959, Kilar moved to Paris to study composition under the notable pedagogue Nadia Boulanger. Kilar …
Most people who have learned to play the piano did so at early age, free from the time-consuming responsibilities of adulthood. For others who learn to play later in life, it can be a challenge to make consistent progress while juggling a hectic schedule. This article will outline some tips and suggestions that any aspiring …
Among the various music industries, the classical genre remains unique compared to others. While there exists only one original recording of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, recordings by Bach, Beethoven and Chopin performing their own original compositions do not exist. For perspective, imagine if John, Paul, George, and Ringo wrote down …