Turandot is truly a masterful work and should be, I’d say, on the list of favorites of any opera fan. This piece, as well as any full opera, would be best suited for someone who is versed in classical and opera pretty well already. Otherwise, some of the slower scenes may get a little disinteresting, especially if the listener isn’t familiar with the libretto or […]
The Slavonic March came about after the conflict between Serbia and Turkey in 1876. In June of that year a number of Slavs who rebelled against the Ottoman Empire in support of Russia and Austria were killed by the Turks, resulting in Serbia’s declaration of war against Turkey. Russia, feeling sympathy for Serbia and seeing its people as fellow Slavs, sent volunteers and aid to […]
The Solemn Mass was one of Beethoven’s favorite compositions of his own. It was written from 1819 to 1823, around the time of his Symphony No. 9, and was premiered in St. Petersburg on April 7th, 1824. The work was dedicated to Archduke Rudolph of Austria, in light of his new appointment as Archbishop of Olmütz. Rudolph was a friend and student of Beethoven to […]
