Music Education
A young musician scrambles along a steep, rocky passage towards the daylight. Before him, a world of music and light. Below, unending absence. He has one job. He mustn’t look back. He mustn’t check to see if his wife is following. His recently deceased wife, that is—the
Music of India
Indian classical music is a profound and richly nuanced art form with roots stretching back thousands of years. It is more than just an auditory experience; it is a spiritual journey, a deep exploration of emotions, and a sophisticated interplay of melody, rhythm, and improvisation. For the discerning audience, appreciating
Features
On the campus tour of the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres, sighs and gasps are customary. As the doors open to reveal the Winter Garden Theatre, a collective “wow” comes up crooning like it is a rehearsed part of the tour. “It never fails,” Ellen Flowers, the Marketing and Communications
Know Your Composer
The Romantic era, spanning from the late 18th century to the early 19th century, witnessed a profound transformation in music, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and a deep connection to nature and the human experience. Central to this period was the development of the German Lied, or art song, a genre that
Music of India
The sitar, a stringed instrument revered for its rich tonal qualities and cultural significance, stands as one of the most iconic symbols of Indian classical music. This instrument, with its intricate design and historical depth, has not only captivated audiences in India but has also found admirers and practitioners around
Features
Maria Callas, often hailed as “La Divina” (The Divine), was one of the most iconic and influential opera singers of the 20th century. Her life, marked by dramatic highs and lows, mirrored the intense emotions of the operatic roles she so brilliantly portrayed. Callas’s contributions to opera, her unique
Music Education
The science behind the advantages of early music education is rock solid. These feature films and documentaries, that introduced us to powerful stories from around the world, reinforce what we already know to be true— that music can heal in more ways than one. This year, the Academy Award for
Know Your Composer
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a towering figure in the world of classical music, stands as one of the most influential composers in the history of ballet. His contributions to the genre are unparalleled, with masterpieces like “Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker,” and “Sleeping Beauty” not only defining the Russian ballet tradition but
Music of India
Indian classical music, with its intricate melodic structures and complex rhythmic patterns, can seem daunting to the uninitiated. However, at its core lies a profound and expressive musical tradition that has evolved over centuries. This guide aims to demystify two of its fundamental components: ragas and talas. By understanding these
News
As the SOI prepares to present four concerts under the baton of Maestro Zubin Mehta, Dr. Cavas Bilimoria shares some insights on the enduring works of one of the composers from the programme, Johann Strauss II, and why the music of Vienna is a special treat when conducted by the
Know Your Composer
The world of classical music has been profoundly shaped by many extraordinary composers, but few relationships within this sphere are as captivating as the friendship between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn. These two titans of classical music, separated by nearly a quarter of a century in age, shared a
Interviews
In the realm of global music, few artists have bridged as many genres and cultures as violin virtuoso L. Shankar. A pioneering force behind the world-renowned band Shakti and the creator of the revolutionary 10-string stereophonic Double Violin, Shankar’s contributions to music span decades and continents. His collaborations with