On This Day

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Mischa Maisky (Born on January 10, 1948)
The Cello in Dialogue
Mischa Maisky, born on 10 January 1948 in Riga, Latvia, has become one of the most expressive and influential cellists of the modern era. After studying with the legendary Mstislav Rostropovich at the Moscow Conservatory, Maisky’s remarkable tone, emotional intensity, and communicative
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The Bestseller of the Baroque Age
Violin Sonatas Op. 5 by Arcangelo Corelli (Died on January 8, 1713)
In today’s world, a viral hit spreads in hours. In the late seventeenth century, it could take years or even decades for music to travel. And yet some works achieved a level of popularity that crossed borders, languages, and social
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When Breasts Revolt
Les mamelles de Tirésias by Francis Poulenc (Born on January 7, 1899)
Francis Poulenc, the enfant terrible of French music, never did anything halfway. When he composed Les mamelles de Tirésias (The Breasts of Tiresias) in 1947, he didn’t merely write an opera. Instead he wrote a cheeky, whirlwind rebellion against societal norms, gender
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Alexander Scriabin (Born on January 6, 1872): Symphony No. 1
In Praise of Art
We might easily call Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin (1872–1915) one of the most original and enigmatic composers of the late Romantic and early modern eras. His career spans an extraordinary journey from virtuoso pianist to a visionary of mysticism, symbolism, and
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Wings of Joy
Celebrating National Bird Day (January 5)
If happiness had feathers, it would look a lot like National Bird Day. Arriving each year on 5 January, just when winter days feel long, and the calendar is still full of resolutions, this cheerful celebration reminds us to take
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50th Anniversary of the Death of Agatha Christie (Died on January 12, 1976)
Murder & Melody
In 2026, specifically on 12 January, we mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Agatha Christie (1890-1976). The mysteries from the pen of the unparalleled “Queen of Crime” have enthralled readers across generations. Even five decades after her passing,
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In the Shadow of Asrael
Josef Suk (Born on January 4, 1874) and Transfigured Grief
Josef Suk, born on 4 January 1874, occupies a distinctive position in Czech music history. He stands at the crossroads between late Romanticism and early twentieth-century modernism. A student, son-in-law, and artistic heir to Antonín Dvořák, Suk inherited a powerful
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Paavo Järvi and the Art of Rehearsal (Born December 30, 1962)
Grammy Award-winning conductor Paavo Järvi, born on 30 December 1962 in Tallinn, Estonia, makes orchestral music feel urgently alive. There is a distinctive clarity to his performances, yet they never sound academic or over-controlled. Järvi has a rare gift for
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