Hidden Gems III – Pheobe (1909) by Mel Bonis
Quite rightfully, the work of composers such as Lili Boulanger (1893-1918) are being rediscovered with enthusiasm. Written a year before her death at just 24, Vieille prière bouddhique is a … Continue reading
Hidden Gems II: Ramblin’ on my Mind
Whether you’re in the Mississippi Delta, or a poorly air conditioned cupboard room in the Scottish capital, good music hits home. Sadness is universal, and music makes that sadness sing. … Continue reading
Absolutely on Music
Absolutely on Music: Conversations with Seiji Ozawa – Haruki Murakami, Seiji Ozawa. tr. Jay Rubin. Harvill Secker. Any mention of Glenn Gould is usually enough to make me consider buying a … Continue reading
Hidden gems I: Discover ‘Discover’ by Unifony
Hidden Gems: A new series that looks at interesting and offbeat releases in the world of music. UNIFONY – Minco Eggerson, Theodoor Borger, Aaron Parks, Óskar Guðjónsson. ‘Discover’ … Continue reading
Frederyk Chopin: A Life and Times – Alan Walker
From the well-known daguerrotype of Chopin it is instantly clear he was a guarded man, prone to melancholy, and suffering from tuberculosis – the only three things I … Continue reading
The History of Jazz – Ted Gioia
Jazz is a tricky subject to write convincingly about. Any attempt to formally mimic its rhythms is usually doomed to the ignominious failure of word soup – … Continue reading
Rhapsody of Rags 