Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata

Posted by Tom Fasano on October 16, 2009 – 8:49 pm -



I like to tell my students that there are only two kinds of music, good and bad, and that they have a habit of listening to a lot of bad music. Here’s an example of good music — the late, great Wilhelm Kempff playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, first movement.


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Glass: a Portrait of Philip in 12 Parts

Posted by Tom Fasano on February 21, 2009 – 9:51 pm -


Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Philip Glass for a newspaper article about an upcoming concert of his. His publicist was kind enough to send me his number, and I got hold of him in Houston, where he was to give a concert tonight. He and his ensemble will be performing The Book of Longing in Claremont Wednesday night, the day the article should run in the local paper. Since Philip Glass is the only living composer whom I worship, I still can’t believe I spoke to him on the phone. The consensus among critics is that he’s world’s greatest living composer. The above trailer is for the documentary film, Glass: a Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts.


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Writing much, but not here

Posted by Tom Fasano on July 21, 2008 – 9:46 am -

I’ve been very busy finishing up a book about MLA documentation. Coyote Canyon Press hopes to publish it as a paperback original this September. Yes, I know, It’s a pretty quick deadline, which means the book pretty much has taken over my life — the implications of which are long hours at the computer. It can be a lonely life and not an exciting way to spend your summer vacation, but inspiration helps. Lately I’ve been watching the great Arthur Rubenstein play the piano. Wish I might grow old as gracefully as he.


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Herbert von Karajan Centenary

Posted by Tom Fasano on April 5, 2008 – 8:58 pm -

Herbert von Karajan was an Austrian orchestra and opera conductor, one of the most renowned 20th century conductors. Karajan began his conducting career in 1927. After World War II his reputation spread through Europe to the United States. He toured with various orchestras (notably the Berlin Philharmonic) and participated in many of Europe’s music festivals. He was musical director of the Berlin Philharmonic and was artistic director of the Vienna State Opera (1956–64). He was a remarkable conductor, but his dictatorial style made him controversial.His obituary in the New York Times described him as “probably the world’s best-known conductor and one of the most powerful figures in classical music.” Karajan is the top-selling classical music recording artist of all time, estimated at 200 million records sold. He is perhaps best known for his 1962 Berlin Philharmonic recordings of Beethoven’s symphonies, and for his expertise in conducting the music of Brahms, Bruckner, Richard Strauss and Sibelius.


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