Customs of the time were not that different from ours today. Let’s dive in and discover the contemporary Vienna! How Beethoven celebrated Christmas? Apart from a short recollection from his childhood years, including holiday wurst, wine, punch, coffee, singing and playing, we do not know how Beethoven celebrated Christmas. We do know, however, that he was baptized as a …
The uniqueness of December is always in the air. Even Beethoven saved many of his greatest works to premier in this month. December is a unique month and for most of our readers a special month, too. It is also a very busy month, partly because of the holidays, but also as it marks the end of the current …
The creative process is often a delicate balance between homage and originality. The weight of history can be a daunting force, particularly for those who aspire to greatness. The towering figures, the giants of the past, their achievements and creations made for eternity, cast long shadows that can scare away even the most talented. Yet, for many it is …
Voluntary exposure to challenges is the only way to grow. In our contemporary fragile world of safe spaces, trigger word warnings, sensitivity trainings and general over-protection from parents, for many it may be unthinkable that there were times when youth willingly exposed themselves to great challenges, seeking both personal and professional growth on the way. Just as the human body, and the genome …
Prehistoric music was essential to the development of human culture. Long before complex concepts, speech or writing, humans were already creating music! This prehistoric music spanned a vast period and likely emerged alongside the development of language and basic social structures. We know a lot about what ancient civilizations like Egypt, the Greeks or Romans thought of music and how …
From horses to locomotives: a short look into mobility. We all know the look on a teenager’s face when we are 5 minutes late from the agreed time of pick-up. Traveling with such speed as of today, estimating arrival time with such precision, in fact traveling itself, previously was never part of human experience and within the possibilities. Even …