Beautiful Music

Chinese-American composer and violinist Chen Yi blends Chinese and Western traditions in her music. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Central Conservatory in Beijing, and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Columbia University in New York. She is currently on the faculty of the Conservatory at the University of Missouri – […]

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Violin Sonata #9 op.47 is commonly called by its nickname, the Kreutzer Sonata. Beethoven dedicated it to French violinist Rodolphe Kreutzer (1766-1831) who, by the way, didn’t even like the technically challenging composition! The Sonata is ALSO referred to as the Bridgetower Sonata, because it was originally dedicated to violinist George Bridgetower

Today’s Beautiful Music selection is a concert by the Winnipeg Singers. In April 2024 they performed a program called THEIR VOICES RESOUND, which celebrated the work of Canadian Women Composers. They include Ruth Watson Henderson, Ramona Luengen, Luara Hawley, Lavinia Kell Parker, Jocelyn Morlock, Kristi Lane Sinclair, Eleanor Daley, Kathleen Allan, Diane Loomer, and Sarah

Jean-Baptiste Lully was the toast of the town in France during the Baroque era. The French King loved Lully, and today’s Beautiful Music is a live performance of an excerpt from the composer’s comédie-ballet LE BOURGEOIS GENTILHOMME. (Side note — you may notice that the conductor is not waving a baton to lead the group.

There is such great energy in this May 2023 performance of a movement from the Concerto for violin and cello by Leopold Hoffman. Today’s Beautiful Music features cellist Kristína Chalmovská, violinist Alfia Bakieva, and Solamente Naturali led by Miloš Valent. From the looks on their faces, their exchanged glances, and their overall physicality, it’s a

In the 16th and 17th centuries, missionaries went to South America and brought their European musical traditions and instruments. Today’s Beautiful Music is a full concert of music from those missions — sacred music featuring Florilegium with a variety of soloists. Most of the music is anonymous, but also included is music that was brought

I recently learned of musician Lilian Saba. She is an Argentine composer, pianist, and teacher, and her artistry is captivating. Today’s Beautiful Music is Lilian Saba the performer, playing the piano and collaborating with Marcelo Chiodi, who is playing a variety of flutes, including panpipes. Their easy, genial rapport is as delightful to watch as

It’s Mother’s Day, and today’s Beautiful Music is a piano setting of a traditional Vietnamese song — Lòng mẹ — which translates to A Mother’s Heart or A Mother’s Love. The link below has a full translation of all the lyrics of this lovely composition. Listen to the 12 year old piano prodigy Evan Le

Today’s Beautiful Music is a tender performance of ESTRELLITA (little star) by Manuel Ponce. Originally a song, this is an arrangement for violin and piano by Jascha Heifetz, who often played it as an encore piece at his concerts. This 2019 performance features a pair of young performers — violinist Nathan Meltzer and pianist Jessica

Today’s Beautiful Music is a steamy, romantic journey to Argentina through the music of Carlos Guastavino. The Argentine composer lived from 1912-2000, and was a prolific composer of some 500 works. Duo Turgeon — aka Canadian pianists Anne Louise and Edward Turgeon — perform Carlos Guastavino’s TRES ROMANCES ARGENTINOS. The link below has more information