Ludwig van Beethoven’s supposedly “last piano work” has been found by musicologist Peter McCallum, while studying the composer’s final music sketchbook at the Berlin’s state library. The 32 bars piece was found in the so called “Kullak sketchbook”, one of Beethoven’s working documents full of ideas, jotted notes and musical fragments. Mr McCallum noticed what he calls the “Bagatelle in […]

Researchers at the medical university Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University (both in Sweden) have now demonstrated a correlation between general intelligence and the ability to tap out a simple regular rhythm. They stress that the task subjects performed had nothing to do with any musical rhythmic sense but simply measured the capacity for rhythmic accuracy. Those who scored highest on […]

– designer collaborations link instrument making to fashion and contemporary trends. In close co-operation with the world-famous Porsche Design company, Bösendorfer has created a contemporary approach to grand piano design. Bösendofer states; In keeping with our motto — “cherish traditions, transcend limits” — this new interpretation incorporates ground-breaking new features that will have a lasting impact on the development of […]

The National Gallery at Trafalgar Square in London is arranging a Dame Myra Hess Day on the 25th of November (2008). This annual event honours Dame Myra Hess who initiated, directed and performed a series of legendary concerts at the National Gallery during the Second World War. This year’s concerts will take place in the Barry Rooms (Room 36), where […]

In addition to his activities on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, pianist Hugh Sung is working to explore the possibilities and creativity of modern technology in music making and performance. He applies them, in his ”Visual Recitals,” to promoting and enhancing the wider understanding of music, and to actively engaging the listener at every level. […]

Not only are piano competitions such as the Van Cliburn YouTube-competition and the Minnesota e-Competition moving out onto the web, but students, music colleges, schools and all music lovers now have the chance to gain inspiration and to learn from master classes given by some of the world’s greatest musicians. The Masterclass Media Foundation is a charity that is creating […]

A French museum has found a previously unknown piece of music handwritten by Mozart. The melody sketch is missing the harmony and instrumentation but was described as an important find. Ulrich Leisinger, head of research at the International Mozarteum Foundation in Salzburg, Austria, said there is no doubt that the single sheet was written by the composer. “His handwriting is […]

In order to keep good track of events around the world associated with the Messiaen Centenary celebrations, this is a very useful website with festival announcements, a calendar and recommended CDs: http://www.oliviermessiaen.org/messnews.html For example, the Messaien 2008 International Centenary Conference took place at the Birmingham Conservatoire, from 20-24 June 2008. http://www.conservatoire.bcu.ac.uk/messiaen

Musical tastes and personality type are closely related, according to a study of more than 36,000 people from around the world. The research, which was carried out by Professor Adrian North of Heriot-Watt University, is said to be the largest such study ever undertaken. It suggested classical music fans were shy, while heavy metal aficionados were gentle and at ease […]

Since the discovery of a new Bach Cantata, found among the papers of Japanese pianist Chieko Hara who died in Japan in 2001 aged 86,  recent findings of other handwritten materials include two previously unknown manuscripts written by Bach when he was a teenage organist. The handwritten manuscripts, dating from about 1700, are copies of organ music composed by Dietrich […]

International concert pianists including Lang Lang, Cyprien Katsaris and Louis Lortie premiered a new piano concerto for ten pianos and orchestra during the Olympic Games in Beijing on August the 20th. Vladimir Feltsman, Liu Shi-Kun, Joseph Kalichstein, Philippe Entremont and Yin Cheng-zong also performed in this work with the China National Symphony Orchestra under Chen Zuo-huang at the Piano Gala […]

The historical aspect is an essential consideration for anyone involved in classical music. It is music created in another context altogether and basic conditions, like the musicians’ skills and the sound of their instruments requires a good imagination (and a generous dash of research) in order to obtain a full picture. For those who want to imagine the 18th century […]