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High Stakes, New Identities—The Changing Face of the North American Orchestra
North American orchestras are entering a moment when leadership changes, artistic identity, and civic purpose intersect in consequential ways.
Review: On ‘Le Chant des Muses’, Violinist Anna Urpina Puts Forgotten Female Composers in the Spotlight
“The process of examining manuscripts, selecting the most compelling pieces, and transcribing them to assess their musical potential has been both challenging and inspiring,” says Urpina.
Soloist, Step Forward—Thomas Adès’ Violin Concerto Gives the Instrument Something Colorful to Say
Adès is one of the few British composers to have achieved a steady presence in North American concert halls.
Sticking to the Facts: An Academic Publishing Primer
Enjoy this insider's look at how a manuscript becomes a published work and the various roles occupied by people responsible for assuring the integrity of its claims.
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Did You Know . . . Brahms Was the Only Famous Composer in the 19th Century to Write a Full-length Double Concerto for Violin and Cello?
The vast majority of double violin and cello concertos have been written in the 20th and 21st centuries.
DIY—Advice from Composer Jessie Montgomery on Publishing Your Own Music and Getting it Played
To ensure control of her creations, the Grammy-winning violinist and composer has essentially become her own publisher and distributor.
Close to Home—Rosemary Curtin’s Arthur Edward Smith Viola Has Spent Its Life in Sydney
Smith’s viola isn’t simply an heirloom of Australian craftsmanship; it’s a reminder that artistry depends less on geography than on curiosity and will.
Extend Yourself: How to Practice Extensions, a Notoriously Tricky Technique
Defined as any finger placement exceeding the normal framework of the left hand, extensions are a rarely mastered but essential building block of technique.
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Solid Gold: The Pacifica Quartet Conjures Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Chamber Music Magic
In recording Korngold’s evocative chamber pieces, the Pacifica Quartet sought to accentuate the composer’s renowned command of melody and harmony.
Radio Coda: A (Personal) History of Classical Radio
David Schulman, musician, composer, and creator/producer of the NPR series "Musicians in their Own Words," looks back on a life colored by classical radio.
Rogues en Vogue: The Voller Brothers Through the Eyes of Arthur Frederick Hill
Among the most fascinating makers in history, the Voller Brothers developed various ways of helping to sate the global demand for old Italian instruments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
A Dialogue Between Centuries: The ‘Polonia’ Strad Violin Is Getting a High-Tech Twin
Using cutting-edge technology, Mateusz Majkowski and Janusz Wawrowski are building a new instrument modeled on the style and geometry of the “Polonia” Strad as it was in 1685.
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Back in Fashion: The Concerto Form Receives Wider Contemporary Attention
The concerto is no longer merely a test of virtuosity. It is a stage for collaboration, a reflection of our time, and a laboratory for works that may still be played 100 years from now.
At 40, the Cassatt String Quartet Pays Tribute to a Longtime Collaborator
The Cassatt String Quartet celebrates its 40th anniversary with three string quintets by Daniel Strong Godfrey.
Jazz Violinist Gwen Laster’s Compelling ‘Keepers of the Flame’ Is Quietly Intense
Thought-provoking music rooted in the past, informed by the present, and striving for the future.
‘The Music Critic’ Finds Nothing Sacred
Aleksey Igudesman, the San Francisco Symphony, and John Malkovich deliver an evening of laughter, courtesy of some of history’s most celebrated composers—and their detractors.
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Intoxicating Vitality—Rebecca Clarke’s Sonata for Viola and Piano Remains Fresh and Vibrant
A rare work that fits equally well on more than one instrument, the Sonata has been embraced by violists, cellists, and orchestras alike.
Adult Education—The Orchestra’s New Front Line
At a time when public school music education is increasingly under threat adult-focused community-based efforts by orchestras have become more than enrichment.
Will America’s Mid-Century Concertos Finally Get Their Due?
Academic serialism, Cold War politics, shifting tastes, and some early promotional stumbles prevented many works from securing a foothold in the repertoire. A few determined artists are striving to change that.