THE MAGAZINE
Narrow Escape from the Nazis: Max Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei”
German composer Max Bruch was Christian, but his moving Kol Nidrei for cello and orchestra convinced the Nazis that he must have been Jewish. Read on to find out more.
In Honour of Hawaii: Queen Lili’uokalani’s Songs
During the month of August, the world watched in horror as wildfires spread over the paradisiacal Hawaiian island Maui, devouring its capital Lahaina. Let’s hope for a better future for the island by taking comfort in the songs written by Hawaii’s last monarch, Queen Lili’uokalani, a truly remarkable woman. Read on to find out more about her story.
Reuniting with Nature: Yo-Yo Ma’s Birdsong
It’s finally summer! The summer holidays are the perfect time to escape into nature. Take your queue from Yo-Yo Ma, the superstar cellist whose boundless curiosity and idealism lead to many unusual projects.
Happy Birthday, Igor Stravinsky! Celebrating an Icon of Twentieth Century Music and Ballet
There are few ground-breaking composers who are also famous for their ballet compositions. If Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Sergei Prokofiev are the only ones who come to your mind, think again: Igor Stravinsky is one of the most important composers of the twentieth century and an icon of modernism, but his most famous compositions were created not for the concert hall, but for the ballet.
In Conversation: Pianists and 2023 Cliburn Junior Competitors Saehyun Kim 김세현 (16) and Seokyoung Hong 홍석영 (15)
The Third Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival for pianists aged 13 to 17 is taking place 8 – 17 June 2023 in Dallas, Texas. TWoA talked to two of the talented young pianists chosen to compete at the competition: Seokyoung Hong 홍석영 (15) and Saehyun Kim 김세현 (16). Both are originally from Seoul, but are now studying piano at New England Conservatory Preparatory School while attending Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Read on to find out about their lives in Korea and the USA.
Ask the Experts: Practice and Competition Advice from Pianists Seokyoung Hong 홍석영 (15) and Saehyun Kim 김세현 (16)
The Third Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival for pianists aged 13 to 17 is taking place 8 – 17 June 2023 in Dallas, Texas. TWoA talked to two of the talented young pianists chosen to compete at the competition: Seokyoung Hong 홍석영 (15) and Saehyun Kim 김세현 (16). Both study piano at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School and attend the Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Read on for some practical advice on the triple challenge of practicing, performing and competing.
Maria Callas: La Divina - The Divine
When you hear the word “diva,” the first thing that comes to your mind is probably the image of a temperamental star performer making unreasonable demands. If you are an opera lover, chances are you will think of Maria Callas (2 December 1923 – 16 September 1977), one of the greatest twentieth century sopranos. This year is the centennial of her birth. Who was the artist electrifying audiences around the world? Who was the woman behind the legend?
Christian Spuck and Giuseppe Verdi’s ‘Messa da Requiem’ at Staatsballett Berlin
Christian Spuck’s ballet Messa da Requiem is having a good year. The production has been performed across the globe and recently entered the repertoire of Staatsballett Berlin. But turning an oratario into a ballet is not easy. Read on for more.
Start Spring with Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1
It’s finally spring! The best way to celebrate this magical moment is of course with music. I have chosen the following piece for this season: the second movement (scherzo vivacissimo) of Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 19. Want to know why? Read on!
Elaina Spiro, Cello Student at Boston Conservatory: Everyone Has a Different Path!
Elaina Spiro is a young cellist studying with Professor Rhonda Rider at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She is in her third year of her undergraduate studies. TWoA talked to Elaina about her life in music and her unconventional path to Boston Conservatory.
Ask Elaina: Efficient Music Practice and Tips on Concert Wear
Elaina Spiro is a third-year cello student at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She has some great advice on efficient music practice and concert wear.
Happy Birthday, Sergei Rachmaninov!
175 years ago, on 1 April 1873, Russian composer and piano virtuoso Sergei Rachmaninov was born on an estate in the Russian countryside. Rachmaninov was one of the first international classical music stars. Read on to find out about his love for figure skating, vacuum cleaners, and his bouts of depression.
‘What is Naatu?’ Indian Film Song Hit Wins an Oscar
On 12 March 2023, the song “Naatu Naatu” from the Indian action drama RRR became the first song from an Indian film to win an Oscar. Read on to find out more about the global dance hit that has gone viral on social media.
John Williams: May the Force be With You!
What do Star Wars, E. T., Indiana Jones, Home Alone, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List and Harry Potter have in common? American composer John Williams composed their iconic film scores! On 8 February 2023, one of the greatest composers in the history of cinema turned ninety-one. Read on to learn some curious facts about some of his best loved film scores.
Hearing Climate Change: The Sound of Disappearing Notes
Climate change is one of the main issues facing humanity, but it can be difficult to fully grasp what scientific terms such as “biodiversity loss” really mean. Art can play an important role in translating scientific facts into stories that touch peoples’ hearts. A powerful example: “Hebrides Redacted,” a collaboration between Cambridge economist Dr. Matthew Agarwala and composer and conductor Ewan Campbell.
Violinist Amelia Febles Díaz: Classical Music in Cuba
Amelia Febles Díaz is a young Cuban violinist. TWoA talked to Amelia about her classical music training in Cuba and about “Mozart y Mambo,” an inspiring project created by French horn player Sarah Willis of the Berlin Philharmonic that brings together Mozart and Cuban dances.
Interview: Mezzo-Soprano Nina Vinther on Female Power, Sustainability and the Magic of Stories
Nina Vinther is a mezzo-soprano pursuing a Master of Music in vocal performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. While still a student at Cambridge, Nina became the first female choral scholar with St. John’s College Choir. TWoA talked to Nina about music at Cambridge, feminism, sustainability and the power of art to translate facts into stories.
In Conversation with Julian MacKay: Social Media and the Arts
The use of social media in the arts can be a blessing, but there are many things to avoid to make sure that it doesn’t turn into a curse. TWoA talked to principal dancer Julian MacKay about social media and the arts: Julian and his brother Nicholas run MacKay Productions, a production company that, among other projects, supports dancers and institutions with their social media presence.
Soprano Chen Reiss’s Top 5 Seasonal Music Pieces
Soprano Chen Reiss is at home on the big stages of this world. She has performed leading parts at the Vienna State Opera, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Teatro alla Scala, Deutsche Oper Berlin and many others. Born in Israel, she has been based in Europe for many years. TWoA asked her for her top five seasonal pieces.
Julian MacKay: Advice for Young Dancers and Musicians - “Embrace Uncertainty!”
Julian MacKay is a principal ballet dancer, but the worlds of classical dance and classical music have a lot in common. Based on his own experience, Julian shares his tips on how to navigate your way to the top.