Opera is a form of musical theatre that has been an integral part of Western classical music for over four centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the late 16th century in Italy, where it quickly gained popularity and spread to other European countries. Since then, opera has evolved
Classical music has been around for centuries, and its influence can be heard in nearly every genre of music today. From pop to rock to hip-hop, classical music’s influence has been used to create some of the most memorable and recognizable tunes in modern music. This timeless connection between
Music of India
In the prestigious New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the sarangi is described as follows: “A bowed chordophone occurring in a number of forms in the Indian subcontinent. It has a waisted body, a wide neck without frets and is usually carved from a single block of wood; in
Throwback Thursday
In its original Greek form, “pedagogy” means “to lead a child,” from the roots pais: child and ago: to lead. This suggests that education is inherently directive and necessarily transformative, but the question is what “leadership” and “transformation” mean and ought to entail. Philosophically speaking, pedagogy is a “thick” concept,
Music of India
Khayal, meaning “imagination” in Arabic, is one of the most prominent and dynamic forms of Hindustani classical music. Known for its expressive and improvisational nature, Khayal has evolved over centuries to become a versatile and sophisticated genre, allowing artists to explore a wide range of emotions and musical ideas. This
Reviews
The subtitle of Quartet, historian Leah Broad’s book about four UK women composers, reads boldly: How Four Women Changed the Musical World. But I am unsure that the musical world – for Broad, classical music – was changed in any meaningful way by composers Ethel Smyth (b.1858) Rebecca Clarke (b.
News
The iconic BBC Proms is back, and it’s set to be an eight-week celebration of classical music featuring an impressive 72 events here at the Hall. The 2023 season, running from Friday 14 July to Saturday 9 September, offers an extensive range of programming, including large-scale symphonic and choral
Music of India
The concept of gharanas is a cornerstone of Indian classical music, embodying the preservation and transmission of musical heritage through generations. Originating from the Sanskrit word “Griha,” meaning house, a gharana represents a distinct school or lineage of music, characterized by a unique style, philosophy, and repertoire. These schools of
Travel Diaries
Rajasthan, steeped in legend, home of mighty warriors, has a vibrant musical culture. Our first stop was Ajmer. Known for its excellent schools, the city’s music teachers had much to share with us. It was not all work, however, with an impromptu singalong adding an element of fun to
Know Your Composer
Franz Schubert lived the quintessential life of an urban bachelor. He rejected the restraints and dependence of family life and found sustenance and camaraderie in a close, but ever-changing circle of friends. Perpetually short of money, he lived with various roommates, hung out in pubs and drank heavily. Schubert flirted
Music of India
Indian classical music, a vast and intricate field, is primarily divided into two major traditions: Hindustani classical music, which is prevalent in the northern regions of India, and Carnatic classical music, which is predominant in the southern states. Both traditions share a common origin and certain foundational principles, yet they
Know Your Composer
The Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147, was Dmitri Shostakovich’s final work. The score was completed on July 5, 1975, a day before the composer entered the hospital where, just over a month later, he would succumb to the effects of terminal heart disease and lung cancer. Shostakovich