Features
The 2023 edition of the eight-week long BBC Proms festival finally ended with a crash, boom and wallop on 9 September. It had me glued for all that time to internet radio, so the abrupt absence of the daily ritual is a little disorienting. It has been a remarkable season
Staying in the zone can sometimes be a problem when writing an essay. From the distraction of others, your mind getting in the way of your work, or your own procrastination, it’s easy to get out of the ‘zone’ and not be able to get back in. One way
Music Education
Eighteen years ago, when I married Luis on New Year’s Day, I could not possibly have predicted how dramatically our lives would change in just four years’ time. When we got married, Luis was a doctor in the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK. He had just made
Music of India
The BBC Proms music festival 2023 had many interesting highlights. Prom 69a featured the BBC Singers, who will be a century old next year. But earlier this year, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) controversially decided to disband the choir steeped in music history as part of its “new strategy” for
Features
One of the many things I love about listening to internet radio podcasts, especially when listening to music is that the focus is solely on the aural sense, as opposed to watching a concert. I am able to listen more attentively without the distraction of the visual element. But occasionally
In June 2023, a paper-reviewed article published in the journal, Education Studies, showed that children perform better at math when music is a major component of their lessons. The article was the product of over 50 years of research and its results were conclusive. When teachers use musical techniques such
Music of India
Indian classical music is a sophisticated and deeply expressive art form, with its roots stretching back thousands of years. One of the less discussed yet profoundly impactful elements of this music is the use of silence and pauses. Silence in Indian classical music is not merely an absence of sound;
Music of India
Carnatic music, a rich and vibrant tradition rooted in Southern India, is celebrated for its melodious tunes and soul-stirring compositions. While its melodies and ragas often take center stage, the intricate rhythmic structures, known as “talas,” are the hidden gems that underpin the entire Carnatic musical experience. In this exploration,
Know Your Composer
Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major is music rooted in nature and song. It is the work of a 28-year-old composer who was rapidly rising as one of Europe’s premier conductors, and who was coming out of a stormy love affair with Marion von Weber, the wife
Music of India
Hindustani classical music, a rich and ancient tradition that has captivated audiences for centuries, is a testament to the profound artistry of India’s musical heritage. At the heart of this intricate and melodious tradition lies improvisation, a skill that elevates a performance from mere recitation to a profound spiritual
Opinion
Somewhere in the 1980s the audio-cassette boom happened. And thanks to Magnasound, Times Music and HMV Classics, I suddenly had access to more and more classical music. My collection began to shoot up exponentially after I became an intern and had a salary (a princely Rs 1000 a month then)
News
There was a moment during the recently held House Concert organised by F. Marikar hosted at the magnificent Thapar House in Kolkata, where it seemed as though the Muses had conspired to produce a uniquely well-arranged set of circumstances to accompany the music being performed. The Effem Ensemble, comprising musicians