Acclaimed Italian pianist Maurizio Pollini dies at age 82
"I grew up in a house with art and artists," Pollini said in an interview. "Old works and modern works coexisted together as part of life."
Don't Miss a Beat
Beethoven’s Smile: Yes, He Had One
“After the final chord, I looked up. The Master’s darkly glowing gaze was fixed upon me penetratingly. Yet suddenly a benevolent smile broke up his gloomy features, Beethoven became quite close, bent over me, laid his hand on my head and repeatedly stroked my hair. ‘Devil of a fellow’ he whispered, ‘such a young rascal!’ I suddenly plucked up courage. ...
Composer Exploration: Jacques Ibert
When young Jacques finished grade school, he found a job in a movie house, playing piano for silent films.
Art and Music: Mendelssohn’s Watercolors
Felix Mendelssohn was a beacon in his world, whether as a conductor, composer, scholar, or painter. As a painter, he wallowed in images of man in dialogue with nature: landscapes with buildings or people under trees. The image to the right is of an unknown subject, but brings to mind the mysterious, churning sounds of his Hebrides Overture, and offers ...
Playlist: 10 Pieces That Changed the World
Pieces of music that turned the art form into something it hadn't seen.
Beyond ‘Tristan’
One of the more innovative efforts of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in recent years has been the concert series Beyond the Score. It’s an opportunity to peel the curtain back on a composition, on a composer’s mindset, and on their interaction with orchestral instruments. Each show combines musical excerpts, narration, and visuals to examine a single piece of music. After intermission, ...
