Photo by LUM3N on Unsplash

I have written about music as an amateur for years, but during pandemic times, there was a different sort of opportunity to introduce and share music, so I began preparing a sort of program to introduce famous pieces throughout history, and they’ve continued. I talk for a bit, then walk you through a piece of music with the hope that you’ll appreciate it more than if you’d just listened on your own. It’s not as scary or difficult to enjoy classical music as you think it is, nor is it only for a select few.

My purpose, basically, is to introduce great music with the purpose of helping you learn how to listen and thus be able to enjoy other pieces of music. There’s only so much you can cover with sessions once a month.

There’s also a separate series between the regular classes called Offbeats, where we’ll discuss more modern pieces. You can learn more about that here.

The next lecture will probably be on Saturday, 1 April at 7:30 pm Taipei time (GMT+8), featuring Mendelssohn’s ‘Scottish’ third symphony.

You’ll need the relevant Zoom info to join the sessions, which you can get by contacting me.

The List

If you want to see the list from Season One (2021-22), it’s here.

Season 2

1. 4 Sept, 2022: Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, op. 18
2. 8 Oct– Sibelius Violin Concerto in Dm, op. 47
3. 29 Oct- Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit..
4. 19 Nov- Elgar Cello Concerto, op. 85
5. 24 Dec– Beethoven Symphony no. 2 in D, op. 36
6. 11 Feb– Berlioz and Mahler Song Cycles
7. 11 Mar-Beethoven Symphony 3, op. 55
8. 1 April– Mendelssohn Symphony 3, op. 56
9. 22 April– Mahler Symphony no. 1
10. 13 May– Strauss/Debussy
11. 10 June– Shostakovich
12. 8 July– Mozart
13. 12 Aug- Mozart

Schedule subject to change with as much notice as I can manage. If you’d like to know about upcoming sessions or want to request one at a specific time, please send an email to let me know. I’m also more than happy to repeat previous lessons if there is enough interest.