Being About an Instrument ‘At Once Familiar and Unknown’

In ART OF THE MANDOLIN, AVI AVITAL offers a perspective on 300 years of music composed specifically for his instrument of choice. A range of perspectives--via reviews, interviews and first-person observations-help explain the a...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Communing With Misfortune, In Search of Justice

Falsely convicted of murder, four Native Alaskans--the Fairbanks Four--were freed in 2015 after 18 years in prison. Composer Emerson Eads responded with MASS FOR THE OPPRESSED.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Beethoven Bids You a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

A happy St. Patrick's Day to our Irish friends, with additional greetings in song from none other than Ludwig Van Beethoven, who wrote 72 settings of Irish songs for voice, violin, cello and piano. Enjoy a couple of those setti...
by David McGee
 

 
 

An Impromptu Requiem for a Slain President

Upon hearing the news from Dallas on November 22, 1963, the BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, conducted by ERICH LEINSDORF, offered an impromptu requiem for a slain President.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Beethoven’s Day

Composer RICHARD WAGNER was always quick to dash off polemics on various subjects. He first wrote about BEETHOVEN in 1840, and returned to interpret the master's C-Sharp Minor String Quartet in 1870 during the Beethoven Centena...
by David McGee