Composers Archive

Franz Schubert composed many songs (Lieder), as well as operas, overtures,and sonatas. Many of his symphonies transport me to the land of chamber music because of their special spirituality. Schubert’s Fifth symphony was written when …

In my personal view, Carlos Kleiber was the greatest orchestral and Opera conductor of the past 100 years. As is the case, his life was surrounded by controversy. He demanded 100% excellence, and he often …

In 1789 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) wrote to one of his debtors about a promising commission to write six easy keyboard sonatas for a royal patron. Only one sonata, his last in D major, K.576, …

The scene and rondo, “Ch’io mi scordi di te? … Non temer, amato bene,” K. 505, was written by Mozart in December 1786 for singer Nancy Stotrace’s Vienna farewell concert (February 23, 1787), prior to …

Joseph Haydn composed his six string quartets Opus 64 in 1797. The first movement of the # 6 is in E flat major—a mellow key for strings—is predominantly lyrical and inward-looking. The widely modulating development works …