Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 7: A Masterpiece of Early Genius Historical Context Composed in November 1796 during Beethoven’s stay at the Keglevich Palace in Vienna, the Piano Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 7, was dedicated to Countess Babette Keglević, one of Beethoven’s students. The sonata’s technical demands suggest that the Countess was an exceptionally skilled pianist, …
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 …
Slavery’s legacy is a shared human tragedy, and no civilization can claim moral superiority. Slavery, the abhorrent practice of owning human beings as property, has stained the chronicles of history across civilizations and continents. From the ancient cradles of civilization to the modern era, the exploitation of human labor has been a grim constant. This article delves into the …
Our daily life is a miracle… Last week, a “major power blackout occurred across the Iberian Peninsula affecting mainland Portugal and peninsular Spain, where electric power was interrupted for about ten hours in most of the Peninsula and longer in some areas.” The event was significant, even it has a Wikipedia article already. The investigations are still going on, with no conclusion at …
How and why green starts growing in spring Our friend, Beethoven, was the happiest when he was out in nature. For him, it was not optional or a weekend activity: even in rain or bad weather he was strolling daily the fields and hills around Vienna. I am sure he would agree, spring is the best season! In the past …
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 …