Know Your Composer
Happy 250th birthday this Wednesday, 16 December 2020, Ludwig! The world had such great plans to celebrate this milestone, but a minuscule virus put paid to all that. My reading marathon on Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) in his birth sestercentennial year continues to throw up the most fascinating trivia about
News
In Vivian Liff’s passing, the NCPA lost its great patron and generous contributor to the creation of the Stuart-Liff Library. Chairman Khushroo N. Suntook remembers the authority on opera, renowned writer and music critic, and a dear friend. At times, you seek solitude to be alone with your thoughts,
Know Your Composer
A tribute on Beethoven’s 250th birth anniversary “Whoever gets to know and understand my music, will be freed from all the misery the world has to offer.” – Ludwig van Beethoven What caused Beethoven’s deafness? Unfortunately, his autopsy report was destroyed. Notes made by Dr. Johann Wagner, the pathologist,
Interviews
Before he went on to become a bestselling author of unputdownable novels, Dan Brown studied music to forge a career as a singer-songwriter and pianist. Seven thrillers later, he returns to classical music with his first picture book for young readers about a unique orchestra in the wild. In an
Features
Two of Mahatma Gandhi’s most effective foreign disciples during his lifetime were great admirers of Beethoven. One of them was a Nobel laureate and a former university professor (at the Sorbonne) of music history, Romain Rolland (1866-1944). He told Gandhi, in 1931, “You are the greatest
Music Education
Why would teachers want to encourage parents to attend lessons? Although some teachers—Suzuki, Yamaha, or preschool, for example—routinely invite parents, not all music teachers find that children or their guardians benefit from a shared experience. The following is an overview of some of the rewards and challenges of
Interviews
Hailing from the pristine North-Eastern State of Nagaland, Theja Meru is one gifted musician who wants to bring a difference in the world of the performing arts. Being the first person to establish a musical meet up point called Dream Café in Kohima, Theja himself is a talented singer and
Have you ever wondered, when taking on music lessons, what requirements there may be when starting? Some instructors might give you a list of their requirements ahead of time, but most probably don’t. It is important to be aware that learning a musical skill, even just as a hobby
Know Your Composer
When a professional musician from Helsinki toured the Finnish countryside in the last years of the 19th century, a member of the audience asked him, “Are there other great composers in Helsinki besides Merikanto?” This delightful anecdote certainly tells us something about the enormous popularity of Oskar Merikanto (1868–1924)
News
Carnegie Hall’s free streaming series continues on Thursday evenings throughout December with new original Live with Carnegie Hall episodes curated by leading artists and Learn with Carnegie Hall programs on Wednesday afternoons featuring highlights from Carnegie Hall’s three acclaimed national youth ensembles: the National Youth Orchestra of the
News
Socially distanced seating, pre-concert disinfectant mists, music-enhancing face masks, state-of-the-art drive-in concerts – the pandemic has got us thinking on our feet. Richard Nowell, technical consultant to the NCPA and other international organisations, recounts his first-hand experience of making the English National Opera’s Drive & Live: a top-notch sonic event
Music Education
The habit of comparing ourselves (and being compared) to others is not restricted to the world of music. Starting shortly after birth, our physical attributes, talents, and achievements are constantly compared to those of our peers. The age at which first words are spoken and first steps are taken can