The conductor’s baton, a slender stick wielded by maestros to lead orchestras through intricate musical performances, is a symbol of precision and authority in classical music. Its history is a fascinating journey of adaptation and refinement, evolving from rudimentary tools to a specialized instrument that shapes orchestral soundscapes. This article explores the baton’s origins, its transformation over centuries, and the …
The other day a newsletter arrived in my mailbox from a local symphonic orchestra. It was about upcoming concerts, tickets, and seasonal passes. In a final section, the orchestra requested the loyal audience to support them with financial donations, as they need a set of new timpani. The set’s price, disclosed in the newsletter, surprised me, as it was comparable …
Ludwig van Beethoven was not only a composer, but a pianist-composer. His piano play was legendary! A topic we covered before, both his piano duels and his supreme feel and technique compared to the very best of his time. What other instruments did Beethoven play? Read on to find out! Harpsichord and clavichord When Beethoven was a child the …
In previous articles we revealed at what age Beethoven started playing keyboard and on what piano brands did he play in his adult life. There was one brand and one piano in particular that he cherished, his beloved Broadwood. In this article we learn about the history of this piano. In his life Beethoven played many piano brands. This shallow …
Beethoven had and played many pianos from different brands. In the background of this shallow brand loyalty there are two main reasons. For once, pianos were not that enduring in those times, and second Beethoven was always in search for a better sounding piano suitable for his brave compositions. Despite being an Italian invention by Beethoven’s time there were three …
I was wondering the other day how I could describe the violin to someone in 1 minute. Here are the points I came up with! 1. The name violin comes from the latin vitula, which means stringed instrument. 2. The current form of the violin emerged in the medieval times. This early version we call the fiddle. 3. Although the …