News
Country music aficionado and veteran DJ Bob Harris, bhangra stars Punjabi Hit Squad and classical organist Anna Lapwood will guest as ABRSM launches a new podcast series, Start Here. The ten-part series, hosted by ABRSM Artistic Director Alexis Ffrench, will focus on different music styles each week, inspiring new listeners
Features
The June of 1978 marked a rare occurrence. The American rock legend Bruce Springsteen had a reputation for being reluctant to perform outdoors. But when he was told, “Red Rocks is simply indoors without a roof ”, a curious Springsteen was compelled to come around. His debut at the Red Rocks
Music Education
Maria Caniglia was born in Naples on 5th May 1905. It was considered a blessing when Agostino Roche accepted her as his student, since he was responsible for the stellar technique of Ebe Stignani, one of the great mezzo sopranos of the 20th century. Stignani was older than Caniglia by
Music of India
Mohiniyattam, a captivating classical dance form, finds its origins deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. At the heart of its narrative lies the story of Mohini, the mesmerizing female avatar of Lord Vishnu, the preserver in Hindu cosmology. According to ancient texts and legends, Mohini emerges during a celestial battle between
Features
Suzuki is a household name worldwide for any western music student or teacher. As someone invested in music education, the life of Shinichi Suzuki is endlessly fascinating to me. So I found ‘Suzuki: The Man and his Dream to Teach the Children of the World’ (2022) by Eri Hotta a
Music of India
Thumri, a quintessential genre of Indian music, beckons listeners into a realm where poetry, melody, and emotion intertwine to create a captivating tapestry of sound. Derived from the Hindi verb “thumuknaa,” meaning “to walk with a dancing gait,” thumri embodies a unique vocal style that resonates with the rich cultural
News
Seiji Ozawa, the illustrious Japanese conductor celebrated for his advocacy of modern composers and extensive work with prestigious orchestras worldwide, including the San Francisco Symphony, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna State Opera, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where he served as music director for a remarkable 29 years, has
News
I had the privilege of experiencing the extraordinary performance of the Chennai Youth Sinfonietta on December 11, 2023, where the stage became a canvas for a mesmerizing fusion of talent and dedication. As the founder of Keys of Change, witnessing the realization of our collaborative project with Musée Musical Foundation
Music of India
During the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, Zakir Hussain, along with flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, graciously accepted the “Global Music Performance” award for their outstanding contribution to the composition “Pashto.” The duo also secured another victory for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Music Education
In the Spring 2024 Season, the Symphony Orchestra of India will be performing a wide array of orchestral works, mostly from the 19th century, some with evocative titles and others with none. Some of these pieces were initially meant for the concert hall, while others were meant for the opera
Music Education
In recent years there have been many films about orchestra conductors. In films such as Divertimento, Tár, and Maestro, you can sense the halo of mystery that surrounds the figure of the conductor, which composer and music critic Robert Schumann called “a necessary evil” as early as 1836. To the
Music of India
A tiny one-bedroom flat tucked into a quieter lane of Chennai’s Mandavelli neighbourhood is something of a pilgrimage destination for Carnatic violin students. This is where, overseen by images of dozens of deities, A Kanyakumari, 71, has taught some of the brightest young talent on the concert circuit today.