THE MAGAZINE
From New York With Love: Connecting With People
“It’s that time of the year when you start to anticipate the first autumnal chill, the kind that has you looking over your shoulder, waiting to be shaken from your post-summer daze.”
Anastasia Cheplyansky, Dutch National Ballet: “Studying While Dancing Brought a Lot of Balance Into My Life.”
A new school year has begun. If you are close to finishing school, you might have to decide soon between the stage, or further studies. But fear not - you actually might not have to choose. TWoA talked to Anastasia Cheplyansky, Dutch National Ballet, about the benefits of combining dance with serious academic studies at the university level and about her dance journey.
A Murderous Artist Pardoned by the Pope: Benvenuto Cellini and the Art of Punishment
Renaissance artist Benvenuto Cellini was an award-winning goldsmith and sculptor lauded by Pope Clement VII. But he was also vengeful and violent, supposedly decapitating the man who killed his brother and stabbing his rival goldsmith Pompeo de Capitaneis to death. Did he receive the punishment he deserved? No. Read on to find out why.
Minimalist Music: The Joy of Repetition
“Despite its name, minimalist music actually has a lot going on. Its repetitive nature may have earned it a reputation as monotonous and even boring, but learning how to listen to minimalism, and how to appreciate its complexity, has been one the most enriching musical experiences of my life – and it can be for you too, you only need to know what to listen for.” Find out how.
Of Fields and Feelings: A Brief History of Landscape Art
For centuries, landscapes were mere backdrops—symbolic, sublime, or decorative. But in the nineteenth century, a revolution took place. Through the Barbizon School and the Impressionists, landscapes captured internal and external reality, sealing transitory beams of light, atmosphere, and sensation into eternity. Read the article to find out more.
A Life in Dance: Back to School Book Recommendations
As September cools into fall and the academic calendar resumes its merry buzzing, it’s time for breezy summer reading to morph into something more serious. These three books — one memoir, one creative guidebook, and one historical account — each portray the risks and rewards of making a life in the arts.
What is the Music of the Spheres?
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion (the backstory to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) opens with a creation myth in which a divine council forms the cosmos by singing it into existence. Mortals cannot hear this music, but it is still part of everything they are. Tolkien’s fantasy story is actually based on ancient ideas from our own world.
From London With Love: The Art of the Market
Auctions, galleries, dealers—the art world’s holy trinity. But behind Bond Street’s polished façades lies a performance of sleight, spectacle, and subtle inflation. Read our newest Letter from London to discover what truly happens when masterpieces change hands.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Just Went Live: TwoSet Violin and the Magic of Livestreamed Classical Performances
A performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major. Soloist: tick. Live audience: tick. Orchestra: None to be found. Concert venue: a nondescript room somewhere in Australia. In it are two musicians, a camera, microphone, and an admirable degree of ambition.
Guest Artist: Danya Adriana, 17, Malaysia
Dive into Malaysia’s vibrant, diverse culture with our guest artist Danya Adriana.
Ballet Across the Globe: Rudolf Nureyev and the Paris Opera Ballet
The name Rudolf Nureyev is undoubtedly familiar to many. What many may not know is that part of his lasting presence ascends beyond individual star power and rests in the realm of the Paris Opera Ballet.
A Brief Introduction to the Wonderful World of Classical Saxophone
The saxophone. An iconic instrument, from pop culture’s epic sax guy and Lisa Simpson to jazz legends like John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. However, a parallel history exists of the saxophone as a classical instrument.
The Art of Conversation: From the Private Salon to the Public Art Cafe
What do the private salons of the past have in common with today’s public art cafes? The need for people to come together, exchange ideas, stoke their passions and inspire one another.
From Istanbul With Love: Where Are You Understood?
Join our correspondent at a hip art spot in Istanbul.
Guest Artist: Long YuJun, Tokyo University of the Arts
Guest artist Long YuJun explores gender and sexual diversity through a deeply personal, emotional lens.
Gilles Rico, Stage Director: “I Consider Myself First and Foremost a Storyteller.”
Opera is not just about the music – it is also a spectacle, a theatrical performance that speaks as much to the eyes as to the ears. But who is responsible for the overall theatrical interpretation and look of a specific opera production? TWoA talked to Gilles Rico, a French stage director who has staged and assisted staging operas at prestigious opera houses across Europe.
The Secret World of Musical Spies
What kind of person makes a good spy? Nowadays, recruiters from agencies like the CIA or MI6 might look for people who can pass unnoticed in various cultures and who are smart enough to collect and transmit secret information. In Europe 450 years ago, spymasters were looking for people with those exact same qualities–and many professional musicians fit the bill.
From London With Love: The Power of Abstraction
Ever wondered why many people react differently to abstract works of art? You are not alone. Join data scientist Louisa von Siemens as she wonders around the Tate Modern.
Interview: Zenaida Yanowsky, Coach and Former Principal Dancer, The Royal Ballet
For many years, Zenaida Yanowsky was one of the most beloved principals of London’s The Royal Ballet. She now coaches at The Royal Ballet and many other international companies. If you want to learn about the importance of speaking up (politely), directing the audience’s eye like a magician, and the wisdom of the words “not everything that shines is gold,” read on.
Happy World Ice-Cream Day: Rachmaninoff’s Cherry Malted Milk Float
It’s world ice-cream day on July 20, 2025, which feels like the right time to celebrate one of history’s most unexpected sweet tooths: Sergei Rachmaninoff, and his favourite dessert, the cherry malted milk float.