Beethoven

One caprice and the knock of destiny | CBW 17

oana April 28, 2019 No Comments
2. “Caprice in A minor, op. 1 no. 24” by Niccolo Paganini

A rather disappointing week, as I’ve enjoyed only two musical bits, to be indulgent with this particular work at no. 2. The 24 Caprices by Niccolo Paganini are notorious for their difficulty, as they explore different violin skills. Among them, the 24th one is the most difficult piece, which is why it’s so difficult to find a version that’s not scratching your ears out or that’s technically correct but avoids that mechanical and sterile sound.… Read more

More Strings | CBW12

oana March 24, 2019 No Comments
Honourable mention: “Zefiro torna e di soavi accenti” by Claudio Monteverdi

We start the week with a comical work, a madrigal by Claudio Monteverdi set after a poem by Ottavio Rinuccini, an Italian 16th century poet considered to be the first opera librettist. In this sonnet we hear a plea to Zephyrus, the bringer of spring in Greek mythology, to come and enliven the air, the branches, the mountains and valleys, everything around our hero who goes back and forth between singing and crying, being tormented by love .… Read more

Brahms & contemporaries | CBW08

oana February 24, 2019 No Comments

If you’re lying in bed at night with a head full of rambling thoughts that are incessantly chasing away your dreams, then go ahead and play this week’s honourable mention: “Spiegel im Spiegel” by Arvo Part. The soft silky melody of the violin is going to make you feel like you’re resting on a puffy cloud, while the lullaby-like background piano droplets will spellbind you in a deep and comforting sleep.… Read more