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Stradivarius violins have long held a position of fascination and awe in the world of classical music. Their mystique and extraordinary value make them the crown jewels of the violin world. From their unrivaled craftsmanship to their exceptional sound quality, Stradivarius violins have captivated musicians, collectors, and enthusiasts alike. But
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It takes a pair of eyes that understands music to capture the sight of sound. A deep dive into the art of documenting live music. The final bell chimes, the doors shut. A dignified quietude takes over the concert hall as if not a strand of hair is allowed to
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You sing like angels. Yes, you do. Why don’t you record your songs professionally? Twenty-five year old Joel Samuel and his twin brothers, Johan Paul Samuel and Jowin Sam Timothy Samuel (22), heard such comments with increasing regularity. The brothers, residents of Chennai, India, had been making home videos
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There is precious little in Vienna that does not invoke awe, but there is something about a monument that is built not just of opulence and grandeur, but an unparalleled musical legacy. The Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper in German) is among the oldest and most prestigious opera houses in
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A four-part series of reflections on the pleasures and paradoxes of learning to sing or play an instrument. For parents, musicians, and would-be musicians of all ages. The Ultimate Holistic Practice What is the meaning of “holistic”? The Oxford Dictionary gives two definitions, the first related to philosophy: “characterized by
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A four-part series of reflections on the pleasures and paradoxes of learning to sing or play an instrument. For parents, musicians, and would-be musicians of all ages. All the World’s a Stage Performing might be considered the ultimate goal of music study. To occupy the stage confidently and perform
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A four-part series of reflections on the pleasures and paradoxes of learning to sing or play an instrument. For parents, musicians, and would-be musicians of all ages. We have seen that learning to sing or play an instrument involves a lot of very worthwhile work. Understanding notation, controlling the physicality
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I have started looking at the story of Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts (SaPa) as a story in three parts, which I shall creatively refer to “normal”, the “new normal” and “what now?”. The last few years have taught us to be flexible and responsive more than anything else, and
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A four-part series of reflections on the pleasures and paradoxes of learning to sing or play an instrument. For parents, musicians, and would-be musicians of all ages. Why Bother? It is said to require ten thousand hours of practice to master an instrument. TEN THOUSAND HOURS? Are you kidding me?
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The first rehearsals were filled with enthusiasm, with expectation and with a bubbling energy to get started. The results (honestly) were rather bleak. Eight months of virtual hibernation had taken its toll, and since the essence of choir is indeed to be one in the collective – to start again to
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It was through my mother’s voice that I discovered Lata Mangeshkar’s. My mother would often sing or hum to herself as she went about her household chores. I, a toddler and then a boy, listened with pleasure. To me, these were my mother’s songs. She then told
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A report from Lisbon, Portugal on preparing to record a CD of recent music by Portuguese composers — and why it matters. Who is your favourite composer? Mozart? Bach? Schubert? Puccini? One of the pleasures of being a classical music lover is pondering such questions: listening, comparing, considering, and re-considering. Our
