Stories

Olympics ceremony uses music from Japanese video games

An orchestral medley of songs from iconic Japanese video games served as the soundtrack for the parade of countries.

Carl Grapentine | August 24, 2017

“I Remember Lenny” | On Bernstein’s 99th Birthday, Carl Grapentine Reflects on the Man and His Music

Galilee Abdullah | August 23, 2017

This Gorgeous Piano Nocturne by Chopin Might Be Even Better Arranged for Violin

Angelica Lasala | August 23, 2017

Video: Watch This Young Pianist Play Ridiculously Hard Works by Chopin… Blindfolded!

Music’s power to connect us takes center stage in Tony-winning The Band’s Visit [Video]

Michael San Gabino | September 10, 2019

The Band’s Visit begins with a mistake. An Egyptian police orchestra is on tour in Israel accidentally books tickets to the tiny, fictional desert town of Bet Hatikva. While “it could be about two sides that don’t get along,” says Chilina Kennedy, who portrays the enigmatic café owner in Bet Hatikva, “the show is not about conflict. It’s about human connection.”

Baltimore Symphony musicians hit management with complaint

Associated Press | September 10, 2019

BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians have filed a complaint with a federal agency accusing orchestra management of unfair labor practices. News outlets report the charge was filed Tuesday with the National Labor Relations Board. The musicians say the orchestra hasn’t bargained in good faith regarding wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. A bargaining session between ...

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This Breakdance Duet to Chopin’s ‘Fantaisie-Impromptu’ Will Send You Spinning

Angelica Lasala | August 22, 2017

When Frédéric Chopin composed his Fantaisie-Impromptu, he probably didn’t expect for the work to serve as the music for a breakdance duet. But at Arabesque 2014, an international ballet competition hosted by the Perm Ballet Opera Theatre, one entry in the “modern choreography” category used Fantaisie-Impromptu for just that purpose. Fantaisie-Impromptu was written in 1834, but it wasn’t published until ...

Hear These Uncovered Piano Masterworks from Haiti

Angelica Lasala | August 18, 2017

Haitian composer Ludovic Lamothe has been nicknamed the “Black Chopin” because of his virtuosic writing for the piano. Lamothe is scarcely the only composer from Haiti to compose incredible keyboard works. For centuries, Haitian composers have brought African, French, and Spanish influences together to create pieces – particularly for piano – that reflect the island nation’s cultural identity. Many of ...

Hear Astor Piazzolla’s Tango Take on Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’

Angelica Lasala | August 16, 2017

Unlike Vivaldi’s concertos, Piazzolla’s Four Seasons wasn’t originally intended to be a series.

Late Afternoon Music with Candice Agree