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Tchaikovsky’s “Variations of Rococo Theme”
When is Tchaikovsky not Tchaikovsky? Tchaikovsky Pyotr Tchaikovsky is certainly one of the best known composers we hear these days. His “1812 Overture”, “Swan Lake”, late symphonies, and, of course,...
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The Unique Story of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
“A grand performance of a new work” is how a prominent Viennese musical newspaper announced a concert of music by Beethoven. Another paper wrote that “anyone whose heart beats warmly for greatness and...
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Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto and its Problematic Beginning
Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto had a very problematic beginning. In 1939, a Philadelphia businessman named Samuel Fels asked Barber to write a concerto for the violinist Iso Briselli. Barber started...
View ArticleDvořák’s 8th Symphony
Although Dvořák was greatly influenced by Czech folk music, he is often considered more of a “universal” composer than a primarily “nationalistic” one such as Smetana. He wrote significant works for...
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Greensboro on the Danube
The Danube is one of the most historic rivers in Europe. Mozart, the Hapsburgs, Richard the Lionhearted, and the Magyars all traveled on the river, and the cities of Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and...
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The Many Hats of Emanuel Ax
Emanuel Ax Pianist Emanuel (Manny) Ax is a wonderful piano player who has toured the world, recorded a huge amount of repertoire, and has collaborated with the finest musicians and orchestras. Manny,...
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Mayuko Kamio, Virtuoso Violinist
In a time where there seem to be dozens of up-and-coming virtuoso violinists, Mayuka Kamio stands out. The Japanese musician follows in the long list of great musicians from her country, including...
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Rachmaninoff’s “Symphonic Dances”– A Reflection On His Life
Sergei Rachmaninoff Sometimes a great composer writes their last few pieces knowing that their days are growing short. Beethoven’s late quartets pushed his music far beyond what he had written before....
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Rodion Shchedrin, Russia’s Foremost Living Composer
When we attend a concert these days, it is likely that we will hear the music of composers who died anywhere between 50 and 250 years ago. Composers who are still alive—people like John Adams, Steve...
View Article“Invitation to the Dance”– The Opening Concerts of the Greensboro Symphony’s...
When you attend a concert by an orchestra, the musicians on stage are usually the focal point. The Greensboro Symphony’s first concert of this season gives us that and more as members of the Greensboro...
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