Suzanne Bona

Today’s selection of Beautiful Music in Difficult is Johann Sebastian Bach’s MAGNIFICAT. Today (3/22/20) is also the annual BACH BIRTHDAY BASH broadcast on Sunday Baroque, which I hope you will listen to on your public radio station. You can also hear it again all week using the online audio stream at www.SundayBaroque.org/listen starting on Monday, […]

Pull up a chair, and pour a cuppa joe for today’s installment of Beautiful Music in Difficult Times. It’s all too easy to put Bach on a pedestal and think of him only as the serious musician he was. But he was also fun and connected to the world. He composed more than 200 Cantatas,

In today’s installment of my series of Beautiful Music in Difficult Times, we’re anticipating this weekend’s annual Bach Birthday Bash on Sunday Baroque. (March 22 program)  Music was therapeutic for Johann Sebastian Bach – it helped him cope with his own personal challenges in life – from everyday struggles to significant losses – in addition

It’s the Vernal Equinox … the official beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. And as we seek social connections, I thought it would be extra special to share a beloved musical selection for today’s installment of beautiful music in difficult times: Antonio Vivaldi’s SPRING Concerto from the Four Seasons. The bonus is that this

In today’s installment of beautiful music we are sharing in difficult times, I offer Antonio Vivaldi’s stirring GLORIA. It is energetic, optimistic, and a great example that the so-called “Concerto King” had way more up his sleeve! I invite you to sing along with this beautiful music!  🙂  

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! You’re in luck –today we’re sharing the wonderful Baltimore Consort’s lovely, lively, lilting recording of ancient Irish music: The Mad Buckgoat! These musicians first got together in 1980, and they have cultivated their artistry, repertory, and friendship with one another in a manner that shines through in every performance. I can’t

Just because we are “dining in” does not mean we cannot enjoy an elegant and sophisticated setting! You can even party like royalty, thanks to Michel-Richard De Lalande’s SYMPHONIES FOR THE KING’S SUPPERS. He composed hours of these suites for the King’s mealtime enjoyment … and this performance is for YOUR enjoyment! Bon Appetit!  

March 15 — the Ides of March. Leave it to George Frideric Handel to craft beautiful music from even the most serious topics! I hope you enjoy this exciting performance of Handel’s opera GIULIO CESARE. It’s led by the terrific baroque music expert Emmanuelle Haim, who coaxes out all the drama and intensity of the

For today’s installment of my daily dose of beautiful music for you in difficult times, I share the artistry of a musician I admire deeply: pianist Simone Dinnerstein. She is an extraordinary interpreter of music by Johann Sebastian Bach, as well as a champion of contemporary music and composers. She is also a hands-on advocate

For this Friday the 13th edition of my sharing beautiful music in difficult times, you are in GOOD luck! I am sharing music that is upbeat and joyful, toe-tapping and delightful. It is from the outstanding Pittsburgh-based ensemble Chatham Baroque — selections from their  2000 recording Españoleta. It’s music from 17th century Spain, and it