Beautiful Music

Trumpeter Ryan Anthony was a phenomenal musician and had an impressive career as a musician. He was a member of Canadian Brass, was principal trumpeter in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and performed in a variety of other ensembles. He was also known as an all-around good guy and an inspiration — someone who responded to […]

On the heels of July 4th celebrations, when I listen to BALLAD FOR AMERICANS sung by the great Paul Robeson, I was delighted to find a recording of him using that magnificent voice to sing music by Johann Sebastian Bach. (in English AND German!)  

A few days ago, my Beautiful Music post featured two great flutists: Jean-Pierre Rampal and Ransom Wilson. As a fan girl, I contacted Mr. Wilson to let him know about the post. He was pleased and gracious, and shared that while he loves the Devienne I had posted, both he and his teacher, Mr. Rampal,

Happy Independence Day! For today’s Beautiful Music offering, OF COURSE it’s George Frideric Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks! I have chosen several different peformances — all exciting and unique.  The first is by Hervé Niquet conducting Le Concert Spirituel at Royal Albert Hall in July 2012. It’s a dramatic and exciting historical instrument performance.

Some lovely baroque guitar music today! Richard Savino is a wonderful performer and teacher, and he plays music by Domenico Pellegrini, an early 17th century Italian musician who composed for the guitar.  

Oh my goodness, this is Beautiful Music, indeed! Bass-baritone Jonathan Woody gives an achingly gorgeous performance with Brooklyn Baroque of Johann Sebastian Bach’s solo Cantata ICH HABE GENUG BWV82. Below you will also find a link to the text in both German and English. Bonus: it’s a live concert recording, which is so lovely to

Today is Canada Day, a celebration of the anniversary of the effective date of the Constitution Act, on July 1, 1867. So today’s Beautiful Music selection features a few outstanding Canadian musical ensembles: Tafelmusik, Ensemble Caprice, and Toronto Consort. These are all quite different , musically. The first is a beloved favorite by Johann Sebastian

Violinist Julie Andrijeski is a terrific musician who received an award — the WONDER CHAMBER PROJECT — to explore a variety of rare manuscripts and prints featuring the violin from the 17th and 18th centuries. Today’s Beautiful Music offering is her performance with Jaap ter Linden (viola da gamba), Joseph Gascho (organ) and Simon Martyn-Ellis

Every young flutist in the second half of the 20th century aspired to be Jean-Pierre Rampal, the famous French flutist who put the instrument on the map as a solo instrument in the concert hall. A few lucky musicians got to study with him — including Ransom Wilson — and I remember being a fan

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing harpsichordist Mark Kroll. During our conversation, he mentioned that his wife, Carol Lieberman, is a terrific violinist with whom he has been collaborating for 50 years. In particular, he mentioned their recording of Violin Sonatas by a little-known French composer, Simon Le Duc. I was intrigued, because I