Classical Music

Classical pianist turned jazz virtuoso Don Shirley dead at 86

Trevor Harris — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:30:11 +0000

When the jazz pianist Don Shirley died on April 6, his passing was not widely reported.

A New York Times obituary noted that the Jamaican born virtuoso pianist was trained in the classical repertoire. Later, the impresario Sol Hurok advised Shirley “to pursue a career in popular music and jazz.” Hurok warned Shirley that “American audiences were not willing to accept a ‘colored’ pianist on the concert stage.”

Rachel Barton Pine's Violin Lullabies finds new niche for classical violin

Trevor Harris — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:20:44 +0000

After her daughter was born, the classical violinist Rachel Barton Pine started looking into the range of Berceuse or lullabies written for violin.

A whole new Rite of Spring seen in animated video

Trevor Harris — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:49:55 +0000

Classical music fans who like a little visual to go with their orchestra may enjoy this video featuring an animated graphical score of Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Part 1: Adoration of the Earth.

Columbia performance series presents classical music of the Show-Me State

Trevor Harris — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:41:40 +0000

Missouri culture might be better known for glittering Branson shows, down home fiddle music and hip-hop from our state’s urban centers, but a local performance organization aims to add classical music to the list of artistic creations born in the Show-Me State.

Classical and folk blend in new album, Night

Trevor Harris — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:45:34 +0000

Making music from the classical repertoire is standard fare for Simone Dinnerstein.

Period instruments take center stage for Viennese pianist Rudolf Buchbinder

Trevor Harris — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:35:30 +0000

If a classical musician wishes to replicate a sound from a specific period then the musician needs a period instrument. KBIA's Trevor Harris recently interviewed Vienna-based pianist Rudolf Buchbinder.