Iceland calls itself “The Land of Fire and Ice.” It’s an apt description. Although Iceland’s landscapes can be barren and austere, they’re also percolating with innumerable geothermal sites that continuously spew plumes of steam into the frosty air. And don’t forget the volcanoes with their glowing lava flows. Known for its natural beauty, Iceland is not as well known for its classical musicians. That is until now. Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has captivated the classical wold with his cerebral and sensitive performances. Ólafsson’s burgeoning Deutsche Grammophon discography ranges from the cool minimalism of Philip Glass to the intricacies of Bach and the Gallic elegance of Debussy and Rameau. His exquisitely chosen repertoire is evidence of a highly selective and creative artist.

When South Korean singer Psy released Gangnam Style in 2012, the world was introduced to the infectiously catchy sound of Korean pop music, or K-Pop, as it’s known. But the world is discovering another extremely popular Korean musician, Yiruma, one whose musical style is quite distinct from K-Pop.

When Timothy Chooi won the Grand Prize at the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Standard Life Competition in 2010, he was one of the youngest award winners. Chooi has won numerous major awards in the decade that followed, including the International Joseph Joachim Violin Competition in Hanover, the Prix Yves Paternot at Switzerland’s Verbier Festival, first prize at the Schadt Violin Competition in the United States, and second prize of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium.

Isabel Leonard is a heralded regular at The Metropolitan Opera, one of the most in-demand opera singers with a string of accolades and awards. Here’s how she prepares for her leading roles at the world’s great opera houses.

“The flute is the true magical rod that changes all it touches in the inward world; an enchanter's wand at which the secret depths of the soul open,” so wrote the German Romantic author Jean Paul. As a child, Beomjae Kim fell under the flute’s spell, and like one of the children of Hamelin, he followed the instrument’s charming sound where it would lead. From his homeland of Korea to the United States, Kim has pursued his love of the flute, and, along the way, discovered another talent, painting. Now he is devoting more of his time to the visual arts, while keeping up a successful and rewarding career in music.

Michelle Cann’s journey from Florida to the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music is a remarkable story of perseverance and incredible talent. Cann was born into a family that nurtured her musical aspirations, but, as a person of color, finding her way in the overwhelmingly white world of classical music presented special challenges.

The 19th century Russian composer and piano virtuoso Nikolai Medtner was horrible at marketing himself. While his good friend and admirer, Sergei Rachmaninoff, was being acclaimed around the world, Medtner could never quite achieve commercial success. Although he was greatly respected by his musical peers, Medtner spent the end of his life in relative obscurity, teaching and only occasionally concertizing.

A musician can make the world a better place just by playing the standard repertoire beautifully. But pianist Lara Downes goes farther. By introducing audiences to diverse composers who have been overlooked and disenfranchised, she not only gives ravishing performances of beautiful music, but widens artistic horizons and enriches our cultural life.

The life of maestro Keitaro Harada has been marked by fate. From his fairy tale marriage to the time he was asked to conduct the final opera performance at Tanglewood, it seems like destiny has always been guiding Harada, music and artistic director for the Savannah Philharmonic.

On Saturday, May 8, the world’s first piece of programmable classical music “Betty’s Notebook” by the Dallas, Texas choral ensemble Verdigris Ensemble went to auction at Async Art and shattered expectations of $150,000, bringing in over $375,000 in total sales for Verdigris Ensemble and breaking the Async Art monetary record for single NFT sale. Sam Brukhman, Founder and Artistic Director of Verdigris Ensemble, talks to Classical Post about “Betty’s Notebook” and the crypto-future of classical music.

“We’re all dressed up for nobody — which is kind of fun, actually,” muses Nicholas McGegan shortly before a performance at Cleveland’s Severance Hall, certainly a sign of the times in which concert life proceeds without an audience, and of the conductor’s unwavering high spirits, even during a challenging year.

Night after grueling night, Richard Danielpour went to sleep at 11:00 p.m., only to wake up at 2:00 a.m.

“I tried everything I could think of,” said the Grammy-winning composer. “My doctor prescribed sleeping pills. I tried melatonin, magnesium, this, that. Nothing would do it.”

Abigail Rollins’ first year as Executive Director of Berkshire Opera Festival has not gone as expected. The company initially pivoted their Mainstage Don Giovanni to a concert version of the work and now finally to a digital performance featuring the original cast but different music entirely. Despite these tumultuous times, Rollins and the BOF team have prioritized supporting their artists.

How do artists work within the parameters of the pandemic and how can organizations support artists in this moment of crisis? These are the questions that composer and National Sawdust’s artistic director, Paola Prestini, is asking. Prestini joined Classical Post for an interview on May 19 to discuss.

The Taiwan Philharmonic has begun performances for live audiences with cautionary measures in place under the leadership of Executive Director Lydia Kuo. Kuo joins Classical Post to discuss reopening, adjusting the orchestra seating layout, remaining financially stable, American orchestras and more.

Celebrated mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges is comfortable in the roles of Queen Nefertiti and Carmen. She joins Classical Post to discuss this balancing act, how her personal practice has shifted during the pandemic, and how her basketball background informs her operatic practice.

Anthony Davis' opera The Central Park Five, with a libretto by Richard Wesley, has won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in Music. Davis joined Classical Post on a phone call from his home in San Diego to discuss the Pulitzer Prize, The Central Park Five, Donald Trump’s character in the opera, philosophy, and opera at large.

Music organizations across the country are currently faced with financial challenges and this moment marks a decisive turning point regarding how organizations will treat artists. National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) in Miami is an organization which identifies the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts, and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers. YoungArts is a founding member of the national Artist Relief coalition, launched YoungArts Alumni Emergency Microgrants and are paying alumni to perform livestream concerts on their Facebook page. Topics in this article include how to utilize the strengths of your organization and the creative opportunities and financial issues with livestream concerts. As these issues are nuanced and ongoing, Classical Post felt that it would be beneficial to speak with three sides of YoungArts to get a full picture of how organizations can support artists. This article features the perspectives of YoungArts Chief Operating Officer Jewel Malone, YoungArts Board Chair Sarah Arison, and composer/pianist Conrad Tao. Tao is a YoungArts alumnus and will perform a livestream concert and give a talk on the YoungArts website and Facebook page on May 7 at 7pm.

Black Violin’s Kevin Marcus joins Classical Post to discuss the vulnerability required in finding your voice, bringing people together virtually through music, and teaching in a way that transcends music.

One of the two founding members of the Emerson String Quartet, violinist Eugene Drucker, joins Classical Post for a Q&A to discuss rehearsals during quarantine, reinterpreting standard works over the years, and his own creative writing projects.