Beautiful Music

Mezzo Soprano Marietta Simpson is a beautiful singer and a marvelous dramatic storyteller — what a presence and what technical ease she conveys, even while singing devilishly difficult music. Today’s Beautiful Music highlights some of Marietta Simpson’s varied roles and impressive artistry  spanning her career, including a 1987 performance of  BUT WHO MAY ABIDE THE […]

Although she was born in Antwerp in 1610, Leonara Duarte’s family heritage was Portuguese-Jewish. At that time and place, it was necessary for them to be “converso” – pretending to be Catholics while secretly observing their Jewish faith. Leonara Duarte grew up in a family that valued the arts and culture, hosting concerts and musicians.

Canadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc’s specialty is early music, and she has recorded and performed a wide variety of it internationally. In 2014, Suzie LeBlanc — who was born into an Acadian family of musicians — was named a member of the ORDER OF CANADA for her contributions to music and Acadian culture. This Beautiful Music

In 2017, Han-Na Chang became Artistic Leader and Chief Conductor of the Trondheim Symfoniorkester in Norway, after having been its principal guest conductor in the 2013-14 season. She is the first female conductor to be named chief conductor of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. The 38 year old conductor has led orchestras all over the world,

Milan-born musician Chiara Margarita Cozzolani (1602-c.1676-78) was the youngest daughter in a wealthy family who showed an interest in music as a singer and composer. M. Cozzolani became a Benedictine nun, and spent the rest of her life cloistered in the convent of Santa Radegonda, Milan. Once she became abbess, she stopped composing. Today’s Beautiful

Melika M. Fitzhugh is a contemporary composer, with an ear for historical instruments. The Harvard-Radcliffe and Bard-trained musician enjoys playing and composing for historical instruments, including Renaissance and Baroque recorders, viols, harpsichord and organ, and the results are delightful. M. Fitzhugh also plays a mind-boggling list of instruments: violin/viola/violoncello/double bass; acoustic guitar/bass; recorders; flute; clarinet;

Today is “Play the Recorder Day” — an event sponsored by the American Recorder Society as part of its “Play the Recorder Month” celebration every March. Time to get out that recorder you know you’ve been meaning to play! In case you need a little inspiration, today’s Beautiful Music is provided by two phenomenal recorder

The name Maddalena Casulana may not ring a bell for you. She lived in the early 16th century — from around 1530 until around 1586, not even her exact birth and death dates are confirmed — and little is known about her life. We do know she was the first female composer in the history

The musical term “chaconne” is defined by the Harvard Dictionary of Music as: “…a kind of continuous variation …’ Chaconne is also the first name of an exceptionally talented young guitarist, Chaconne Klaverenga. She has demonstrated continuous variations on her talents and successes, impressing audiences and collecting awards since she was a teenager and, still

Happy St Patrick’s Day!   Today’s Beautiful Music is provided by hammer dulcimer player Joemy Wilson playing a variety of Irish melodies. Her introduction to music was playing violin and piano, as well as singing. It wasn’t until college that Joemy Wilson started playing dulcimer. You can read more about her, and about the instrument,