Dr. Luis Dias is a physician, musician, writer, history enthusiast and founder of Child's Play India Foundation www.childsplayindia.org. He blogs at www.luisdias.wordpress.com.
Travel Diaries
In Vienna’s historic Hofburgkapelle, I attended a stirring Latin Mass featuring Bruckner’s First Mass in D minor, performed by the Vienna Boys’ Choir and elite musicians—a transcendent blend of faith, history, and music.
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Freddie Mercury’s iconic 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was performed at the 2025 BBC Proms, celebrating its 50th anniversary in an orchestral-choral arrangement that showcased the song’s operatic roots and genre-defying brilliance.
Reviews
The Piano in the Forest is a compelling anime series that blends classical music with a touching story of a disadvantaged child’s rise to greatness. Through a Chopin competition, it explores themes of talent, rivalry, and passion.
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Billy Joel’s “Vienna” blends classical inspiration with life lessons. This feature explores the song’s roots, Vienna’s rich musical history, and how the city helped Joel—and the author—find deeper meaning in slowing down.
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Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, written for one-armed pianist Paul Wittgenstein, continues to inspire. Nicholas McCarthy’s journey from rejection to triumph proves that creativity, resilience, and determination can transcend even the greatest challenges.
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A tribute to pianist Alfred Brendel (1931–2025), celebrating not only his legendary musical legacy but also his incisive, absurdist poetry that skewered concert etiquette, musical dogma, and the human condition with equal flair.
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Dr. Luis Dias reflects on the magic of moonlight, Debussy’s haunting Clair de lune, and its poetic roots in Verlaine, urging us to pause, look up, and listen under the night sky.
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Angelina Jolie channels the legendary soprano Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s Maria. From operatic training to emotional nuance, the film explores Callas’s final days and legacy with depth, drama, and reverence.
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From child prodigy to international legend, Midori’s violin mastery has captivated audiences for decades. Her performances blend technical brilliance with profound emotion, making her one of classical music’s most revered and enduring virtuosos.
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Zubin Mehta’s powerful interpretation of Richard Strauss' masterworks captivated audiences in Mumbai. With Angel Blue’s sublime vocals and the Symphony Orchestra of India’s stellar performance, it was an unforgettable evening of virtuosity and profound emotional depth.
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From Olympic grandeur to cinematic brilliance, Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' continues to captivate audiences, embodying the essence of the Jazz Age and America's cultural metamorphosis. Discover the story behind this timeless musical masterpiece.
Know Your Composer
This is the 150th birth anniversary of English composer, arranger and teacher Gustav Theodore Holst (1874 – 1934). Although best known for his orchestral suite ‘The Planets’ (1918), this year presents an appropriate opportunity to revisit the rest of his vast oeuvre. This is precisely what is happening at the ongoing