Klaus Döring's Classical Music/Klaus Döring's Klassische Musik

 

 

by Hermione Lai , Interlude Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart   (1756-1791) penned a vast number of letters, starting from about the age of 14 and ranging to the last month of his life. Literally, thousands of these documents have been preserved, thanks to the foresight of his   widow Constanze   and her second husband Nissen. These unique documents are still the principal source of information about the events of his life and provide clues to Mozart’s character. In his letters, we find Mozart at his most intimate and unguarded, freely expressing his feelings about life, love, music, and the world around him. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart If we can trust current scholarly opinion, Mozart was a distinguished letter writer. In fact, he is described as “the most eloquent among musicians of his time.” During his travels he was a faithful correspondent, he wrote loving letters to his wife, and long money-seeking letters to friends and patrons. And as we all know, he also wrote some rather nau...

by Anson Yeung To start with, I have to confess that although I have long been fond of   Schubert , he hasn’t been among my “favourites” (if such a term is appropriate). Somehow, I have found a barrier between Schubert and me that prevented me from understanding the true intent of his music until recently. Schubert at the Piano  – Gustav Klimt (1899) Schubert is probably the only composer who can create music that is even more heart-wrenching and disturbing in major keys than in minor keys. An example I would immediately think of would be his Klavierstücke No. 2 in E-flat major. Starting with a gentle and intimate atmosphere, it then transits into the tumultuous first trio and later the more poignant second trio in A-flat minor. There’s a moment where the music suddenly detours into A-flat major (a dominant seventh technically) for merely one bar and then returns to the original tonality. Compare 6:36 and 9:07 in the recording below – this never fails to give me goosebumps, as...

by  Fanny Po Sim Head  With technological advancements, our music players can now generate a list of music tailored to our preferences, matching our usual choices at different times of the day. It is both bizarre and fascinating to discover what our music player thinks we like. Sometimes, these suggestions reveal patterns we didn’t consciously notice, offering a fresh perspective on our musical inclinations. © az616578.vo.msecnd.net/ When I decided to write an article about my favorite composers and their piano compositions, I scrolled through the selections my music player suggested. To my surprise—or perhaps not—I genuinely enjoyed many of them. The curated playlists seemed to echo my preferences, yet they also introduced me to pieces I hadn’t considered in a long time, sparking new reflections on familiar music. My favorite composer is  J.S. Bach , and my music player often includes a piece or two of his. At the top of my list is one of his 1741 compositions, the ...

by Hermione LAI  Get ready to slither into the most exciting, vibrant, and mystical year ahead! The Chinese New Year is almost here, and we’re embracing the wisdom, charm, and elegance of the snake. This year is all about shedding old skin, stepping into fresh opportunities, and moving forward with grace and determination. This year promises to be filled with transformation and growth, and whether you are looking for big changes or small wins, there is a magical energy in the air. The snake may be mysterious, but it is also very powerful, resourceful and ready to lead us towards a new beginning.  The Wood Snake In the Chinese zodiac, the snake occupies the sixth position, and it is associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. People born in the Year of the Snake are supposed to be intuitive, strategic, and intelligent. In 2025, the Year of the Snake starts on 29 January and ends on 16 February. 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake, associated with growth, creativ...