Legendary Musicians

Casa
Italia
Naples
Legendary Musicians

The place this where to meet and enjoy the greatest musicians from the early twentieth century to today

Official website: https://www.historyofmusic.eu/
CEO and chief editor the History of music website: Olesia Pilipenko
e-mail: [email protected]

31/01/2025

Happy Birthday Philip Glass 🎉🍾🍀

30/01/2025

Maurizio Pollini (1942–2022) was an Italian pianist known for his extraordinary technique and intellectual rigor. His prodigious talent was evident from a young age.

He first gained international recognition in 1960 at the age of 18 when he won the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. His victory was so overwhelming that jury member Arthur Rubinstein famously remarked, “That boy plays better than any of us.”

Despite this early success, Pollini took a step back from the concert stage to refine his artistry, studying with Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli and deepening his engagement with both classical and contemporary music. By the late 1960s, he emerged as one of the most respected pianists of his generation, renowned for his interpretations of Chopin, Beethoven, and modern composers like Boulez and Stockhausen.

30/01/2025

Charlie Chaplin with Mr Heifetz, 1925

Charlie Chaplin and Jascha Heifetz had a mutual admiration for each other, but their relationship was not particularly close. Both were legendary in their respective fields—Chaplin as a filmmaker and comedian, and Heifetz as one of the greatest violinists of all time.

Chaplin had a deep love for music and composed many of his own film scores. He admired classical musicians and had friendships with several, including Heifetz. They moved in similar artistic circles in Hollywood, especially in the 1930s and 1940s, when many European artists had relocated there.

There is a well-known anecdote about Heifetz and Chaplin: Heifetz, known for his perfectionism, once played for Chaplin. Afterward, Chaplin commented that the performance was “technically perfect but lacked soul,” which reportedly irritated Heifetz.

Despite this, Chaplin respected Heifetz’s talent, and Heifetz, in turn, appreciated Chaplin’s musical instincts. However, they were not known to have collaborated or had a particularly deep personal friendship.

30/01/2025

Alicia de Larrocha was born on May 23, 1923, in Barcelona, Spain. She showed extraordinary musical talent from a very young age. Her parents were both pianists, and she began studying piano at the age of three. She was a child prodigy, giving her first public performance at just five years old.

She studied at the Marshall Academy, a music school founded by the famous Catalan pianist Frank Marshall, who had been a student of Enrique Granados. Under Marshall’s guidance, she developed her impeccable technique and deep understanding of Spanish piano music. By the time she was a teenager, she was already performing with major orchestras.

Despite her small hands, which were often considered a limitation in the classical world, she mastered a wide repertoire, including the demanding works of composers like Rachmaninoff and Liszt. However, she became best known for her interpretations of Spanish composers such as Albéniz, Granados, and Falla.

Her childhood set the foundation for her legendary career, making her one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.

30/01/2025

Ferruccio Tagliavini, Gianfranco Cecchele and Luciano Pavarotti

30/01/2025

Emil Gilels (1916–1985) showed extraordinary musical talent from a young age. Born in Odessa, Ukraine, he grew up in a highly musical environment and started piano lessons at age 5. His first teacher, Yakov Tkach, focused on rigorous technical training, laying the foundation for Gilels’ remarkable precision and control.

At age 9, he was admitted to the Odessa Conservatory, studying under Berta Reingbald, who nurtured his musical expressiveness. By 12, he was already performing publicly, impressing audiences with his power and clarity. At 16, he won the All-Union Piano Competition in Moscow (1933), launching his national career. Soon after, he moved to Moscow to study with Heinrich Neuhaus, a legendary teacher who refined his artistry and deepened his interpretative skills.

30/01/2025

1944 Lynn Harrell, American concert cellist, was born in New York City (d. 2020)

Lynn Harrell (1944–2020) was an American cellist known for his expressive playing, technical mastery, and deep musical interpretations. His main features include:
1. Rich, Warm Tone – He was praised for his full-bodied sound and lyrical phrasing.
2. Technical Precision – Harrell’s playing demonstrated flawless technique and control.
3. Expressive Musicianship – He brought emotional depth to his performances, balancing power and sensitivity.
4. Versatile Repertoire – He excelled in both classical and contemporary works, performing concertos, chamber music, and solo pieces.
5. Collaborations – He worked with top orchestras, conductors, and musicians like Itzhak Perlman and Vladimir Ashkenazy.
6. Teaching and Influence – As a respected educator, he taught at prestigious institutions like Juilliard and the Royal Academy of Music.
7. Award-Winning Recordings – His discography includes Grammy-winning performances, particularly his recordings of cello concertos and chamber music.

30/01/2025

Happy Birthday Phil Collins 🎉🍾🍀

29/01/2025

Steve Swallow, Bob Moses, Mick Goodrick, Pat Metheny and Gary Burton

These musicians are all connected through the jazz world, particularly via Gary Burton, the renowned vibraphonist and bandleader. Here’s how their relationships intertwine:
1. Gary Burton – A highly influential vibraphonist and educator, he led several notable groups that featured young, innovative musicians.
2. Steve Swallow (bass) – A longtime collaborator of Gary Burton since the 1960s, both in Burton’s groups and as a composer. Swallow eventually transitioned from upright bass to electric bass and became a major force in jazz fusion.
3. Bob Moses (drums) – Played in Gary Burton’s band in the late 1960s, particularly during the more experimental and fusion-oriented periods. He was part of the quartet that included Swallow and Larry Coryell.
4. Mick Goodrick (guitar) – Played in Burton’s band in the early 1970s. He later became a mentor to Pat Metheny and influenced many guitarists through his teaching.
5. Pat Metheny (guitar) – Got his break as a young guitarist in Gary Burton’s band (mid-1970s), following in the footsteps of Mick Goodrick. Metheny cites both Goodrick and Burton as major influences on his development.

Key Connections:
• Gary Burton was the central figure, leading bands that featured both Goodrick and Metheny on guitar at different times.
• Steve Swallow and Bob Moses were part of Burton’s earlier groups, contributing to the fusion of jazz and rock.
• Mick Goodrick mentored Pat Metheny, helping shape his approach before Metheny joined Burton’s band.
• Several of them have collaborated in various settings beyond Gary Burton’s groups, including in educational roles and recording sessions.

Essentially, all five musicians are linked through Gary Burton’s innovative jazz fusion projects, with deep ties in both performance and education.

29/01/2025

Arthur Rubinstein

29/01/2025

Richard Strauss playing cards

29/01/2025

Martha Argerich’s childhood was shaped by an extraordinary musical gift that revealed itself almost as soon as she could reach the piano keys. Born in Buenos Aires in 1941, she was playing pieces by ear at the age of two and giving public performances by the time she was eight. Her prodigious talent quickly attracted attention, and the Argentine government even arranged for her family to move to Europe so she could study with the best teachers.

Despite her immense abilities, she was never a conventional prodigy. She had a restless spirit, often resisting strict discipline and structured practice. Her lessons with great pedagogues like Friedrich Gulda helped refine her technique, but her natural instinct and deep musicality were always at the core of her playing. Even as a child, she displayed the fiery temperament and unpredictability that would later define her as one of the most electrifying pianists of her generation.

29/01/2025

Rubinstein’s humor was full of warmth and charm, the kind that made people feel at ease. He had a way of turning any situation into an anecdote, often making himself the punchline. Even in his old age, he joked about his own mortality, as if laughter could push it further away. His humor reflected his philosophy on life—music and joy were inseparable, and a few wrong notes were never worth losing the spirit of the piece.

Horowitz, on the other hand, had a sharper, more ironic wit. His humor often carried a layer of self-awareness, sometimes even a hint of melancholy. While Rubinstein embraced the world, Horowitz often kept it at arm’s length, using humor as both a shield and a weapon. When he joked about his own reclusiveness or the expectations surrounding his playing, it was never just a joke—it was a glimpse into the mind of an artist who lived between brilliance and self-doubt.

Where Rubinstein’s laughter filled the room, Horowitz’s humor was quieter, more pointed, but no less revealing. Both men had different ways of looking at the world, yet in their own ways, they used humor to cope with the weight of genius.

29/01/2025

1924 Luigi Nono, Italian avant-garde composer (Canonic Variations), was born in Venice, Kingdom of Italy (d. 1990)

Luigi Nono (1924–1990) was an Italian composer known for his avant-garde approach, political engagement, and innovative use of technology in music. Here are his main features:
1. Political Commitment – His music was deeply influenced by Marxist and leftist political ideologies. Works like Il canto sospeso (1956) and Intolleranza 1960 (1961) reflect his opposition to fascism, war, and oppression.
2. Serialism and Post-Serialism – He was initially influenced by the Second Viennese School (Schoenberg, Webern) and developed a unique approach to serialism, often emphasizing expressive and dramatic elements.
3. Electronic Music – He collaborated with institutions like the Studio di Fonologia in Milan and later at the SWR Experimentalstudio in Freiburg, integrating live electronics and spatialized sound into his compositions (e.g., Prometeo, 1984).
4. Radical Sound Exploration – Nono used extended instrumental and vocal techniques, microtonality, and unconventional notation to push the boundaries of sound and silence.
5. Spatialization of Sound – Many of his later works, such as Prometeo, are designed for immersive, multidimensional sound projection, often performed in unique architectural settings.
6. Later Mysticism and Reflection – While his early works were overtly political, his later pieces (e.g., “No hay caminos, hay que caminar”… Andrej Tarkovskij, 1987) took on a more introspective and philosophical tone, influenced by figures like Walter Benjamin and Hölderlin.

Nono remains a key figure in 20th-century music, blending political urgency with radical sonic innovation.

28/01/2025

Sviatoslav Richter in Paris

Sviatoslav Richter’s musical activity in Europe was marked by a profound influence and an enduring legacy. Initially confined to performances within the Soviet sphere, his artistry began captivating European audiences following his Western debut in Paris in 1960. This event became a turning point, leading to widespread recognition and admiration across the continent.

Richter’s interpretations, particularly of Schubert, Beethoven, and Debussy, were celebrated for their intensity and intellectual depth. He had a special connection with France, where his artistry resonated deeply with audiences, and he became a regular performer at prestigious venues and festivals. Similarly, his performances in Austria, particularly at the Salzburg Festival, and his recitals in the United Kingdom left an indelible mark on European music culture.

In later years, Richter’s preference for intimate settings added a unique dimension to his concerts, often performed under dim lighting to draw attention solely to the music. His European appearances showcased a wide repertoire, reflecting both technical brilliance and profound emotional insight, and they solidified his position as one of the most revered pianists of the 20th century.

28/01/2025

Gary Cooper, Audrey Hepburn and Maurice Chevalier in a promotional photograph for 'Love in the Afternoon' (1957)

28/01/2025

Leonard Bernstein and Isaac Stern in Venice (September 1954, for the premiere of Bernstein's "Serenade")

28/01/2025

Bela Bartok hugging his son on a rock

The composer Bela Bartok spent summers in Saranac Lake and wrote some of his best-known works there.

Indirizzo

Via Piedigrotta, 54
Naples
80122

Telefono

+393484757260

Sito Web

https://www.historyofculture.cloud/

Notifiche

Lasciando la tua email puoi essere il primo a sapere quando Legendary Musicians pubblica notizie e promozioni. Il tuo indirizzo email non verrà utilizzato per nessun altro scopo e potrai annullare l'iscrizione in qualsiasi momento.

Contatta L'azienda

Invia un messaggio a Legendary Musicians:

Video

Schubert - Final fugal part from Wanderer Fantasy - Julius Katchen, piano #juliuskatchen #Schubert

#ItzhakPerlman

#franzliszt #SviatoslavRichter

Yuja Wang: Debussy Arabesque No 1 in E major

Menuhin talking about Furtwangler

This sheds some light on the relationship between Furtwängler and Menuhin and his professional relationship towards Heifetz and Toscanini.

Michelangeli is rehearsing Variation 8 of the 3rd movement of Clementi's Sonata Op. 12, No. 1 in B-flat major. #muzioclementi #Michelangeli #ArturoBenedettiMichelangeli