In this article, we will look at the importance of music to the Romans, the occasions during which music could be heard, and what it sounded like. Features of Roman music Early Romans sang at feasts, and often, their song was accompanied by a tune on a pipe. These songs, called carmen, were sometimes performed by a choir at …
Alexander Wheelock Thayer (1817-1897) was an American writer and journalist who travelled to Europe to conduct extensive research on Beethoven’s life, with the intension of writing the first scholarly biography of the great composer. His work became the basis for modern research on Beethoven. Thayer was born in South Natick, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard college, and it was whilst he …
This article will introduce one of Beethoven’s talented piano students, Carl Czerny (1791-1857). Czerny became a teacher himself at the age of 15, played in the premieres of Beethoven’s concertos and became a respected friend for life. He composed a vast library of pieces, numbering over 1000 and a large collection of piano study exercises which are still used today. …
‘My soul is a passionate dancer; she dances to hidden music which only I can hear… Whatever police the world may prescribe to rule the soul, I refuse to obey them.’ In these lines written to her brother, Bettina Brentano, the phenomenally talented writer, artist and social activist expresses her soul’s meaning, the lifeblood of her character. For Bettina …
The aristocratic women close to Beethoven were all remarkable in their own unique ways. Antonie Brentano, one of the suggested recipients of the mysterious Immortal Beloved letter, dedicated much of her time to philanthropy, setting up charities and working with the poor in Frankfurt. Antonie was also a significant cultural figure, promoting the arts in the city. During her time …
Josephine’s tale is a tragic, yet familiar story of love and marriage in an era of strict social constraints, often with devastating consequences. One cannot help but feel for the gentle Josephine, who was trapped by societal expectations, and the passionate, deeply sensitive man, who yearned for her loving comfort. In this article, we will introduce Josephine, one possible claimant …