The Father of the Rossini Crescendo
Among the many composers who have left their infallible marks in music, the father of the Rossini crescendo rates high. This unique sound was originally created by several musical devices…
Viva Virtuoso Ep. 4 “Drama Queen” Premieres March 23rd
And we’re back, folks!
After a three-month winter break, Viva Virtuoso is back this Spring, with dramatic soprano Shayne Dalva joining us.
Nicolo Paganini, by Richard James Lane (died 1872), published 1831. See source website for additional information. This set of images was gathered by User:Dcoetzee from the National Portrait Gallery.
The Devil’s Violinist and His One String
Nineteenth century composer and violinist Niccolò Paganini remains one of the most influential composers and musicians in history. Paganini was more ‘fondly’ known as the ‘Devil’s violinist’, for both his uniquely brilliant skills and his appearance. (more…)
What in the world is Philip Glass up to?
While we like nothing better than looking back on the musical marvels of yesteryear, we also frequently wonder why so many contemporary composers and musicians get so little attention in the online world. To remedy that, at least in part, we’ll be sharing what some of our contemporaries are up to here on the blog and in a weekly digest that we’re launching in a couple of weeks. (more…)
From Pearl City to the City of Angels: A Casual Colloquy with Cellist Tao Ni
From China’s Anhui Province to Los Angeles, California, by way of Indiana, Ohio and Alberta, Tao Ni has meticulously molded himself into one of the most talented cellists of our time. Now at home with the L.A. Phil, Tao is a virtuoso in his own right and as versatile as such young talents tend to come.
Viva Virtuoso YouTube Picks of the Month November
With the second episode of Viva Virtuoso under our belts, it’s safe to say that we’re all enjoying the experience of creating a variety show web series. Sure, none of us were entirely clear on the hours and hours of work producing the show would involve until we were neck deep in the process. But that hasn’t scared us away. If anything, it has only made us appreciate other musical content that various creators offer up online – and free of charge.
Today, we’re recommending a few more of our favorite YouTube channels, perhaps a little more grateful for the effort put into them than we were before. Though Viva Virtuoso’s production team is in no way affiliated with these channels, we invite you to follow them and on a regular basis. Well worth your time, if you’re into classical masterpieces and all that jazz.