When one thinks of Stephen Sondheim, one hardly associates him with Bernstein’s “West Side Story”. Sondheim was brilliant as a composer as well as a lyricist, and so he provided the texts for this opera. He called Johann Sebastian Bach his model as a composer. He once claimed to have…
Send in the Clowns – a song has faded away Weiterlesen »
Derjenige, der beim Kartenspiel verliert, hat das “Bummerl”. Wer im Leben verliert, hat das auch, sagt man in Österreich. Jetzt hat das “Bummerl” auch seinen Macher erreicht: am 22. November 2021 verstarb der Liedermacher und Musiker Horst Chmelar. Horst Chmelar was a dazzling figure in the Viennese music scene. He
Ana hot always the Bummerl – a song has faded away Weiterlesen »
“Hardly any other British composer has contributed more to overcoming the boundaries between “U” and “E” music than Malcolm Arnold. Most music and cinema lovers will know him as the composer of the music for the film “Bridge on the River Kwai”, for which he deservedly won an Oscar.In addition
Sir Malcolm Arnold: a border crosser of music Weiterlesen »
The Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis has died at the age of 96. For many Greeks, he is considered “The Voice of the People”, as he was also politically engaged and critically voiced during Greece’s chequered history, which was marked by war, dictatorship and austerity measures. Theodorakis was considered the best-known
Mikis Theodorakis died Weiterlesen »
Joseph Kreines is a respected composer, conductor and educator who has had an illustrious musical career in Florida and elsewhere. Born in Chicago in 1936, Kreines celebrates his 85th birthday this year. Reason enough to take a closer look at his life and work. After his musical education in his
Happy Brithday Joseph Kreines! Weiterlesen »
On 21 August 1968, the so-called Prague Spring was put down with the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the troops of the Warsaw states. This was an attempt to reform political life in what was then Czechoslovakia. The US composer of Czech origin, Karel Husa, reacted to the invasion at the
An Act of Resistance: Music for Prague 1968 Weiterlesen »
100 years ago, on 16 December 1921, the French composer Chales-Camille Saint-Saens died in Algiers. At the time, he was considered a child prodigy, having written his first composition for piano at the age of four and causing a sensation at five by playing a Beethoven sonata. Today, Saint-Saens is
Saint-Saëns: child prodigy and cosmopolitan Weiterlesen »
Corona has put an end to concert activity. A year without rehearsals, without performances. But experts already see a “light at the end of the tunnel”. The vaccinations are progressing slowly, but at least. As soon as a certain vaccination coverage has taken place, the so-called “herd immunity” kicks in.
Light at the end of the tunnel Weiterlesen »
On 25 January, Alfred Reed would have celebrated his 100th birthday. Reason enough to commemorate the composer, arranger, conductor and publisher. Dr Alfred Reed’s life was intertwined with music almost from the beginning of his life. His parents loved good music and they made it part of their daily lives;
Alfred Reed on his 100th birthday Weiterlesen »
Michael Boo was a composer, creative writer and church choir director (vocals and hand bells) from Chesterton, Indiana. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago and a Master of Music in Composition and Theory from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. As
American composer and creative writer Michael Boo died. Weiterlesen »
