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
Pursuing a career in music can be a rewarding and fulfilling journey, but it can also be expensive. Scholarships and grants can help alleviate the financial burden of music education and allow talented students to pursue their dreams. In this article, we’ve discussed the key steps in finding and
Trinity College London offers graded music exams for musicians of all levels, from beginner to advanced. These exams are designed to help musicians develop their skills and achieve their goals, whether they are aiming for a career in music or simply want to improve their technique and performance abilities. If
Music of India
“The melodic character of Indian music and the harmonic character of Western music are like oil and water. They will not mix…Nor should there be any fear that one will harm the other.” — Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, 1967, The Life and Music of Ravi Shankar, Oliver Craske — Sitar maestro
Know Your Composer
Too often, it’s only when a legend has passed away that one takes stock of their vast contribution in their field. We may not know much trivia about American composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist Burt Bacharach, but all of us will know and love at least one of
Music of India
Hindustani classical music, often referred to simply as Hindustani music, is one of the two major traditions of Indian classical music, the other being Carnatic music, which is primarily associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent. Hindustani music is rooted in the northern regions of India and has