Newly bequeathed letter shows Beethoven's misery

A rare handwritten letter by composer Ludwig van Beethoven complaining about illness and a lack of money has turned up at a northern German institute.

How many notes would a virtuoso violinist pay for a Stradivarius?

A study has found musicians cannot tell from sound alone whether they are playing an old classic instrument or one made last week.

Performing and politics

Composer Michael Blake is as inspired about social change as he is about creating life-altering work

Intersection on the agenda

Composers take issue with the establishment’s ­narrow focus on traditional classical music.

Koras and chorales

The simplicity of Michael Blake’s music blends a feeling of old and new at the same time, writes Shaun de Waal.

Web can be the ticket to exclusive music festival

Germany's prestigious Bayreuth Festival, the world's most famous summer music festival, is set to enter the 21st century with its first-ever webcast.

Isak Roux's musical homecoming

Dillon Davie speaks to Isak Roux, who is in town for the premiere performance of his Coming Home cantata at the Johannesburg City Hall.

Taking Bach to the masses

Angela Hewitt explains why she took on the challenge of performing all 48 preludes and fugues of The Well-Tempered Clavier in 25 countries.

A personal work of colour

SA flautist Wouter Kellerman's Colour reflects the journey of a classically trained musician towards world music and jazz-informed improv.

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