THE MAGAZINE
Lea Brückner, Violinist and Climate Activist: “You can drive social change through culture.”
Lea Brückner is a violinist, moderator and climate ambassador who has carved out a unique career for herself, combining her passion for music with her commitment to sustainability. TWoA talked to Lea about the role culture can play in the battle against climate change, and about the specific steps cultural organisations can take towards becoming more sustainable.
Helene Schjerfbeck: Painting the Soul
“As a Finnish person, when I think of Finnish art, I think of Helene Schjerfbeck. Exhibited at the Finnish National Gallery, the presence of her art punctuated my every visit there. I would always go to her and take a moment to stare at her striking self-portraits.”
Pointe Shoe Rewind: A Brief History of Ballet’s Signature Shoe
In the fashion world, pointe shoes have been having a moment. But pointe shoes are anything but a recent phenomenon; despite their current aesthetic popularity, their origins date back as early as the 1730s.
From London With Love: A Night at the Moulin Rouge
The spirit of Soho is indescribable - but this letter from London attempts to capture and expose it. From the countless restaurants scattered around the area to the shows happening every night, we spill the tea on what it means to experience a night out in Soho. And, as always, we give you all the deets.
Whispers in the Wings: Meet Josephine Baker, Dancer and Spy
Josephine Baker (1906-1975), an icon of the Jazz Age, was a woman of many talents. In addition to being a groundbreaking dancer, singer, and actress—even being the first Black woman to star in a motion picture—Baker was a World War II spy and a civil rights activist.
The Swing of the Affair: Fragonard, Infidelity, and the Art of Heedlessness
The Swing, explained. Fragonard’s brush captures the rush of infidelity—before the fall, before the consequence.
The Mathemagical Music of Michael Maier
If you’ve ever heard a piece of music and thought, “That’s magical!” you probably just meant that the music made you feel a sense of wonder. But what if sound actually had special powers? What if you could use music as a key for learning ancient secrets about the cosmos?
From New York With Love: The New York Philharmonic
Find out what awaits our New York correspondent as she walks from Hell’s Kitchen to Lincoln Centre.
Chun-Wing Lam, Paris Opera Ballet: “I never danced so well before I had my wealth management firm.”
Paris Opera Ballet’s Chun-Wing Lam is probably the only dancer in the world to combine a successful dance career with running his own wealth management firm. TWoA talked to Chun about moving from Hong Kong to Paris when he was fourteen, about the unique promotion system at the Paris Opera Ballet, and about the artistic and mental benefits of having two careers at the same time.
Death in Springtime: The Uncanny Power of Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring”
Perhaps you notice patterns within yourself that stir as the winter colours into spring or the summer burns into autumn. Russian avant-garde composer Igor Stravinsky captures this most masterfully in The Rite of Spring.
Guest Artist: Motomitsu Fujiwara, Tokyo University of the Arts
Explore the world of our guest artist, Motomitsu Fujiwara, Tokyo University of the Arts.
From Sicilian Fisherwomen to Pious Folk Hymns: Cathy Berberian’s “New Vocality” Style
Is this a comic strip or a music score? Find out.
From Berlin With Love: The Philharmonie Berlin
When it comes to classical music, Berlin is definitely one of the global capitals. Find out what it’s like to attend a concert at the Philharmonie Berlin in our insider city letter.
The Architecture of the Oscar Nominees
The 2025 Oscars came and went, and with no shortage of excellent films nominated from this past year. What many of the films have in common is a stunning and real focus on multifaceted architecture within their stories and cinematography.
Palazzo Medici: Scandal, Power, and Politics
The Medici mastered money—but their real genius was in perception. When too much grandeur could kill you, the Medici built smarter—not bigger.
Choreographer Spotlight: Jean-Christophe Maillot
Choreographer spotlight on Jean-Christophe Maillot of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo! His choreography appears so naturalistic on his dancers, it seems to flow from the soul onto the stage…it’s tough to think of anything better than that.
Celestial Soundtracks: Hollywood and the Music of György Ligeti
Some pieces of twentieth century classical music sound as if they've come from another planet. György Ligeti's Atmosphères is one of those pieces. And if you think that avant-garde classical music and Hollywood don’t go together, think again: director Stanley Kubrick was so intrigued by Ligeti’s music that he used it in his 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
From the Bosphorus With Love: The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
Istanbul’s location between Europe and Asia makes it one of the most special cities in the world. Experience the city’s special vibe in our correspondent’s letter from Istanbul, and find out how Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota and Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson draw inspiration from the city’s location.
Artful Anchovies: The Art History Behind the Tinned Fish Revival
Canned seafood has transformed from cheap staple to a vibrant luxury that is quickly becoming a bespoke influence on the culinary and aesthetic world. There is another element that has been snatching the attention of small businesses, social media users, and consumers: the artwork that the fish comes wrapped in.
Adapting to Loss of Limbs: The Stories of Two Musicians - Django Reinhardt and Paul Wittgenstein
Having strong and competent hands is important to being a musician. But what about those who are missing limbs? Here are two snapshots of influential musicians, Django Reinhardt and Paul Wittgenstein, who rose to prominence through adapting their technique to a physical disability.