I am BeethovenAn account of Beethoven being lost in his creative world: Thayer tells us of a conversation he had with a Professor Blasius Höfel, a teacher of fine arts at Weiner Neustadt, a little town near Vienna. one evening, Höfel was in a tavern with some of his colleagues, the Commissioner of Police being a member […]
Debussy on Metronome markingsYou know what I think about metronome marks: they’re right for a single bar, like “roses, with a morning life”. Only there are “those” who don’t hear music and who take these marks as authority to hear it still less! But do what you please. — Debussy, Letter to Jacques Durand of 9 October 1915 […]
The English and music“The English may not like music, but they absolutely love the noise it makes.” – Sir Thomas Beecham Cited in: Jarski, Rosemarie (2005) Great British Wit. London: Ebury Press, p. 198.
Lullaby for BenTitle: Lullaby for Ben Composer: Greg Smith Instrumentation: Piano Product medium: PDF score
October from The Seasons (Tchaikovsky)Title: “October” from The Seasons, op. 37 bis Composer: Pytor Illich Tchaikovsky Arranger: Greg Smith Instrumentation: Cello quartet Product medium: PDF score and parts Sample:
A conductor’s hair styleIn Halina Rodzinski’s book Our Two Lives she describes how on the very first day Artur Rodzinski came to assist Stokowski in 1929, his boss immediately restyled his hair without a part and combed straight back from the brow. “That’s how a conductor should look,” said Stokowski, pointing Rodzinski at a mirror in his dressing […]
A noisy neighbourThe Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev was evicted from his lodgings on several occasions on account of the noise which accompanied his endeavors. Eventually he stopped composing at the piano, using it only to test certain harmonic combinations. This practice proved adequate until his work was interrupted one day by the arrival of a policeman: “You […]
Einstein on creativity“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein.
Horowitz’s stringent requirementsWhen Vladimir Horowitz performed in Japan: …. a kitchen had to be built in his suite because he insists that all his meals – fish or chicken only – be taken there. The electrical wiring ran afoul of Tokyo fire laws, requiring new wallpaper and a special floor. Several critics suggested in a music journal […]
