by Taylor Hollyer | Jan 29, 2018 | News
More than a decade after the Enigma Variations were composed, Elgar reflectively stated in 1911 that the variations started “in a spirit of humour, and continued in deep seriousness.” The story goes that after a long, grueling day of teaching, Elgar returned home and...
by Taylor Hollyer | Dec 15, 2017 | News
Violinist Chee-Yun’s flawless technique, dazzling tone and compelling artistry have enraptured audiences on five continents. Charming, charismatic and deeply passionate about her art, Chee-Yun continues to carve a unique place for herself in the ever-evolving...
by Taylor Hollyer | Dec 14, 2017 | News
Vivaldi’s busy and productive career as composer, violinist and teacher drew its due share of acclaim. One measure of his success is the fact that Johann Sebastian Bach did him the honor of transcribing several of his concertos. He played a major role in several...
by Taylor Hollyer | Nov 20, 2017 | News
“In recent years, I have had the pleasure of singing with a variety of exceptional orchestras, including eight performances with the Elgin Symphony and seven with the Grand Rapids Symphony. I have also had the honor of performing in duo with some outstanding...
by Taylor Hollyer | Sep 27, 2017 | News
“The Seventh Symphony’s premiere concert was performed to benefit the soldiers wounded a few months earlier in the battle of Hanau. It was one of Beethoven’s most successful concerts. Viennese audiences, miserable from Napoleon’s 1805 and 1809...
by Taylor Hollyer | Sep 27, 2017 | News
The Marcus Roberts Trio is known for its virtuosic style and entirely new approach to jazz trio performance. While most jazz trios have the piano front and center, all members of the Marcus Roberts Trio share equally in shaping the direction of the music by changing...
by Taylor Hollyer | Aug 28, 2017 | News
“When the booing and catcalls began, Stravinsky left the hall in a rage and went backstage, where he spent the rest of the performance holding onto Nijinsky’s coat-tails while the choreographer stood on a chair shouting numbers (in Russian) to the dancers,...
by Taylor Hollyer | Jul 5, 2017
The composition of Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony took place during the height of Soviet Union oppression in his homeland of Russia. Though he was a composer and not soldier, Shostakovich’s career was exploited to produce propaganda. He had a successful opera condemned...
by Taylor Hollyer | Jul 5, 2017
The Resurrection Symphony cemented Gustav Mahler’s fame as one of history’s foremost composers. This mammoth piece is known for its grandeur and scale. It requires a performing force which includes soloists and a chorus, which the composer directed should be deployed...
by Taylor Hollyer | Jul 5, 2017
Music has a unique ability to bring people together from all walks of life. Elgar’s Enigma Variations is a literal testament to this fact. This piece is composed of 14 variations, each of which is a musical caricature of family members and friends, including his dog....
