Suzanne Bona

Are you familiar with the name of Bernardo Storace? He was an Italian musician in the middle of the 17th century, and his full biography is elusive. There is a relatively small body of surviving compositions attributed to him, and today’s Beautiful Music is one of them: the Passacaglia from Storace’s 1664 collection, Selva di […]

Today’s Beautiful Music is a passionate rendition of the  Passacaglia and Sarabande, with Variations in g minor after Handel (1894) by Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen. The performers are violinist Lisa Batiashvili and cellist Kian Soltani, and you can use the links below to read more about them. Lisa Batiashvili & Kian Soltani – Halvorsen: Passacaglia

You may be familiar with Joseph Jennings as conductor of the male choir Chanticleer. His many musical talents also include being a singer (countertenor) and arranger. Today’s Beautiful Music is Joseph Jennings’ arrangement of COMO POD’ A GLORIOSA based on a melody by Alfonso X de Castille (1221-1284), and performed by Chanticleer. You can also

A listener recently asked me about the hurdy-gurdy, an instrument that dates back to medieval times. Hurdy-gurdy player Andrey Vinogradov offers today’s Beautiful Music, playing two medieval melodies on the instrument. There’s also a charming and informative tutorial by about the hurdy-gurdy and how it works. Dark Medieval Ballad. Hurdy-Gurdy, Organ Drone & Drum –

When I was a little girl, my mom had castanets, and I was smitten with them. Today’s Beautiful Music took me back to those days when I’d sneak mom’s castanets out of her dresser drawer, trying to master them. Victoria Mariflor provides a dramatic, choreographed accompaniment — complete with castanets and fan — to Bremer

Today’s Beautiful Music is an exciting live performance by viola da gamba player Hille Perl and theorbo player Lee Santana. It’s fun to see the looks of intensity on the faces of these two talented musicians, and watch them play their exquisite instruments. Hille Perl. Lee Santana. Antoine Forqueray. – YouTube

  You are in for a treat! Today’s Beautiful Music is provided by trumpet virtuoso Justin Bland. The Maryland native now lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, and this live concert recording features him playing baroque music with organist Mads Høck. I also had the honor of interviewing Dr. Bland for  Sunday Baroque Conversations, and you can

Loretta O’Sullivan performs on Baroque, Classical, and Modern cello as a soloist and chamber musician, and in numerous ensembles. She also enjoys improvising, particularly with poetry. Today’s Beautiful Music is one of those collaborations. Bird Songs – poems by Francine Ringold – reading and cello improvisation by Loretta O’Sullivan – YouTube Loretta O’Sullivan – Cellist

Jasmine Choi is former principal flute of the Vienna Symphony under Fabio Luisi and associate principal of the Cincinnati Symphony under Paavo Jarvi. She now performs as a soloist, and today’s Beautiful Music is her gorgeous performance of Georg Philipp Telemann’s Fantasy #10 for unaccompanied flute. [Flute Solo] Telemann Fantasy No.10 in F-sharp Minor –

I can’t wait for you to experience this captivating performance of Beautiful Music by pipa player Gao Hong and oud player Issam Rafea! You can also read more about the two instruments, which are both cousins in the lute family. Musical Meetings on the Silk Road – YouTube The Oud (maqamworld.com) Chinese Pipa | Pipa