Decoding the music masterpieces: Strauss’s An Alpine Symphony
With An Alpine Symphony, Richard Strauss achieved something remarkable: the painting of the German alps, complete with cow meadows and waterfalls, in sound.
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Articles on Classical music
Displaying 1 - 20 of 36 articles
Decoding the music masterpieces: Brahms’s Piano Quartet in G minor
The 29-year old Johannes Brahms had his first major public success with his piano quartet in G minor, but not everyone gave it glowing praise.
Decoding the music masterpieces: Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B minor
Whoever finds it beautiful is beyond help, quipped critic Eduard Hanslick upon hearing Franz Liszt’s Sonata in B minor for the first time. Fortunately, posterity did not agree with him.
Decoding the music masterpieces: Bach’s The Art of Fugue
Johann Sebastian Bach's The Art of Fugue is a work of high art. But in keeping with the late works of artists such as Shakespeare, Beethoven and Goya, it contains elements of pathos, humour, gravity, exuberance and tragedy.
ARIAs still matter to artists, but what do they say about us?
High-profile awards ceremonies are often only as interesting as the controversies they create. The 2016 ARIA Awards has started strongly in this area. Although the main ceremony is still a month away…
How to negotiate the tricky territory of ‘fascist music’
Donald Trump has been accused of using a 'fascist' Puccini aria at rallies. But labelling this music as fascist is deeply problematic.
Why music lessons need to keep up with the times
The way we experience music has changed. So, what should the 21st-century music classroom look like?
The sound of silence: why aren’t Australia’s female composers being heard?
The rate of female composers working in Australia hasn't risen in seven years. At one leading ensemble, 41 of 47 composers commissioned have been men. What's going wrong, and how can it be fixed?
Why I built an inside-out, swinging piano
Is this the future of the piano?
‘Am I really only a “nationalistic” curiosity?’ Reappraising Sibelius at 150
In his 150th anniversary year it seems appropriate that Sibelius and his reception receive a critical re-evaluation.
The case for the music of Arvo Pärt
Arvo Pärt created contemplative and innovative music during the most oppressive years of the Soviet Union.
Why Ibiza club music at a classical concert is a clash we should embrace
This year's Ibiza Prom was a convenient target for those unhappy with the expanded remit of the Proms – but an unfounded one.
The case for the music of Jean Sibelius
The classical music world is marking the 150th anniversary of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius with concerts across Finland and in Australia too. But who was the man behind the music?
What might Pluto sound like? Our musical love affair with the cosmos
From Twinkle Twinkle to Space Odyssey and beyond, humans have always turned to music to help deal with the profoundly confronting enormity of the cosmos. Is that a match made in the heavens?
Tinkering with the ivories: Barenboim unveils his ‘new’ piano design
The master pianist has unveiled a redesigned piano which is very like instruments that were in use in the 19th century.
Force-feeding kids classical music isn’t the answer
Forcing kids to get involved with classical music won't make them appreciate it.
‘Shakespeare of music’ finally gets his own blue plaque
Joseph Haydn's visits to London changed the course of music history.
Classical music training and abuse cultures – we need to act now
Like the medical profession, classical music is being forced publicly to confront an endemic culture of sexual harassment. Self-regulation has failed young musicians and action is long overdue.
Did Beethoven have an irregular heartbeat? Diagnosing the composer through his music
Unbalanced rhythms and sudden key changes in some pieces of music may be evidence that Beethoven had an arrhythmia.
We’re playing classical music all wrong – composers wanted us to improvise
After a very drawn out and fraught construction, the Philharmonie de Paris is finally open. The 2,400 seat concert hall was conceived with ambitious plans to democratise classical music, and is situated…
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Associate Professor of Musicology and Director of Academic Program, Music, Western Sydney University
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