Page 29 - Igor Levit News Today

Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’ Doesn’t Deserve Your Eye Rolls It is overplayed all over pop culture. But the pianist Igor Levit says it is “one of the most beautiful pieces I know.” Credit...Eleanor Davis Even if you don’t know “Für Elise,” you know “Für Elise.” A bagatelle the length of a pop song, Beethoven’s trifle is recognizable from the start: a wobble between E and D sharp that gives way to a tune you’ve heard virtually e...

10 Classical Concerts to Stream in January A Verdi opera from the Met and composers on the border of classical and pop are among the highlights. Luciano Pavarotti and Aprile Millo in Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera,” which will be streamed by the Metropolitan Opera.Credit...Met Opera Archives Dec. 31, 2020 As the live performing arts still reel from the coronavirus pandemic, here are 10 highlights from the flood of online music content coming in January. (Times listed are Eastern.) ‘Lonel...

Favorite music of 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic devastated the music industry in 2020. With live performances cancelled and music venues forced to shut down, vast numbers of performers were thrown out of work. The livelihoods of musicians and technical support crews, most of whom work far outside the spotlight of music stardom, were devastated. Adding to the horror, many veteran performers died, among them jazz musicians Lee Konitz, Ellis Marsalis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Mike Longo and Wallace Roney, ...

How the coronavirus crisis inspired the cultural scene The pandemic hit the arts sector particularly hard. With new concepts, theaters, clubs and museums have tried to make the best of a difficult situation. "Culture is not everything," the movie theater marquee reads, " but without culture, nothing is worth anything!"  The coronavirus pandemic has in fact taken a toll on the arts and culture scene. Whatever encouraging words politicians have uttered over the past months, they have still sound...

Best of 2020: Classical CDs | reviews, news & interviews Best of 2020: Classical CDs Best of 2020: Classical CDs Twelve of the years best classical releases by Graham RicksonSaturday, 26 December 2020 Composer Christopher Willis My first shortlist had 27 discs on it, but, after much soul-searching, I’ve whittled it down to 12. These are all physical releases: I like being able to read sleeve notes in print as opposed to a screen, and CDs do sound better. Here goes: My first short...

Thursday, December 17, 2020 The Ode to Joy is released on the day of Ludwig van Beethovens baptism 250 years ago today Register now to continue reading Thank you for visiting Gramophone and making use of our archive of more than 50,000 expert reviews, features, awards and blog articles. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits: Free access to 5 subscriber-only reviews per month Unlimited access to news, features, blogs, awards and artist con...

The contemporary relevance of Ludwig van Beethoven on the 250th anniversary of his birth Millions of people around the world continue to enjoy and enthuse over the work of Ludwig van Beethoven on the 250th anniversary of his birth, December 17, 1770. His music long ago broke through the narrow limits of European culture within which he lived and worked. It has emerged as a universal voice of humanity and has struck a chord among the younger generation thanks to the efforts of dedicated musician...

Beethoven’s 250th Birthday: Here’s Everything You Need to Know Explore the music, life and times of the composer who changed culture. Credit...Gabriel Alcala Dec. 14, 2020 No composer left a mark on music quite like Ludwig van Beethoven. He took the popular forms of his time — symphony, string quartet, piano sonata, opera — and stretched them to their breaking points. He embodied the then-new ideal of the musician as passionate, politically engaged Romantic hero. In honor of...

Africa’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will depend on the continent’s ability to mobilise resources, African Development Bank President, Mr Akinwumi Adesina has said. He was speaking during Nobel Week Dialogue, a prelude to the main event where prizes are awarded to global leaders in literature, peace, economics and other fields. The theme of the event is “The challenge of learning – the future of education.” “The speed and quality of recovery will depend on how much we are ab...

Monday, December 14, 2020 Beethoven After His First Symphony - David Hockney / Apple Register now to continue reading Thank you for visiting Gramophone and making use of our archive of more than 50,000 expert reviews, features, awards and blog articles. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits: Free access to 5 subscriber-only reviews per month Unlimited access to news, features, blogs, awards and artist content