Musings

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Notes from David Yang

A conversation with Yonah Zur

I will occasionally post conversations with the artists who were scheduled to come this summer.

Notes from David Yang

Composers confronting mortality

The pain started as a dull ache in my abdomen around New Rochelle; by Stamford I was doubled over in agony.

Notes from David Yang

Copland's "Appalachian Spring"

In 1982 I received the best birthday present of all time: a Sony Walkman WM-R2.

Notes from David Yang

Summer 2020 is ON… but not as you expect

Some of you have been wondering what we are going to do this summer.

Notes from David Yang

Messiaen’s “Quartet for the End of Time”

Recently I’ve noticed the call of a Very Loud Bird I don’t recall hearing outside my window in the morning.

Notes from David Yang

Schubert Fantasia in F Minor for piano four hands

Why can’t I get enough of sad music and why does it feel so good?

Notes from David Yang

Brahms C Major Piano Trio

When the festival started in 2001, I hoped it would become a kind of second home to my family and me.

Notes from David Yang

Beethoven's Opus 130

If Bach is God, Beethoven is Man, and the meaning of "beklemmt."

Notes from David Yang

Pictures at an Exhibition

While we all sit at home in our pajamas struggling to recall what day of the week it is, let’s look back at an extraordinary solo piano recital.

Notes from David Yang

Transfigured Night

As we all hunker down indoors, I thought some kind of distraction might be welcome.

Notes from David Yang

Music to listen to when a concert Is postponed

David offers some suggestions for music to lessen the coronavirus anxiety.

Notes from David Yang

Reflections on composers and composing

David reflects on composers, compositions, and the act of composing.

Notes from David Yang

The return of Michael Brown..... and more

March is coming, spring is not far behind, and that means piano recital.

Notes from David Yang

Ensemble Epomeo 2007-2017

David reflects on 10 years of performing, recording, and living as a member of a touring string trio.

Notes from David Yang

A Tale of Tikka Masala

It seems that around this time of year people are specifically drawn to reassuring music.

Notes from David Yang

Cooking up a Baroque Concert

Playing baroque music is a kind of going back to the basic ingredients of our art form.

Notes from David Yang

Reflections on NCMF Summer 2019

Reflections on the Newburyport Chamber Music Festival of 2019: A Visual Portrait

Notes from David Yang

The Ravel Duo for Violin and Cello

Just think what was going in the Roaring '20s in art, literature, science, politics, society.

Notes from David Yang

"A Day in the Life of Newburyport" by Robert Bradshaw

Artistic Director David Yang's notes on the new piece for 2019.

Notes from David Yang

"Ainsi la Nuit" by Dutilleux

I’ve wanted to program this incredible, weird, and magical piece for ages.

Notes from David Yang

Shostakovich String Quartet No. 6

The complicated personal background to Shostakovich’s 6th String Quartet.

Notes from David Yang

Mozart’s String Quartet in D Minor, K. 421

In 1785, Mozart dedicated a new set of six string quartets to his friend, colleague, and mentor, Josef Haydn.

Concerts

Thoughts on character over a glass of bourbon: reflections on a recital

Can you enjoy an artist's work if the guy was a jerk? Many great artists and musicians are not necessarily people you would want to be around.

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