-
I would also love to have dinner with Clara Schumann (1819- 1896 - Germany).
Questions: Why did you stop composing after your husband Robert died? Did you fall in love with Johannes Brahms? Did he ever propose marriage to you? If so, what happened...why did you never marry? It was obvious to the world that you two were "soul mates", and clearly loved one another. What sentiments, thoughts and feelings were included in the letters that you and Johannes wrote to each other, and that you both agreed to destroy? (Thankfully, not all were destroyed.)
Did you appreciate your father's musical training that he provided for you (and Robert) or was it oppressive? How did you cope with Robert's and your son Ludwig's illnesses (that required their institutionalization)?
When was the happiest time of your life?
What was your favorite dinner fare?
-
Pauline Would love the answers to all these questions. She is fascinating!
-
Vidhya Bashyam She is!
-
-
I would love to have dinner with Kiri Te Kanawa - New Zealand Opera Singer (1944). The way she sings "O Mio Babbino Caro" by Puccini is so beautiful: rich, warm, lyrical, and genuine. Its depth is sweeping and all-encompassing. She is also featured in a documentary about the making of West Side Story (with Jose Carreras), and that is superb. She sings "I Feel Pretty" in such a joyful way. Delightful!
Questions: You were adopted when you were five-months old. You had a happy childhood with very supportive parents. You have said your career took a toll on your personal life and that you paid a high price for success. Further thoughts about that?
What is the most challenging aspect of being an opera singer?
Which male opera singer do you think has the most outstanding vocal quality?
If you had not become an opera singer, what vocation would you have chosen?
-
I would love to have a dinner with all of the following people present: J.S. Bach, Brahms, Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, Wolfgang Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Schubert, Dvorak, Chopin, Dvorak, Grieg, Haydn, and Handel.
Too many questions...it would be best to be quiet and simply observe. :D
-
The most fascinating, multifaceted, benevolent, historically important musician of all time -- Franz Liszt. Second in line would be Donald Francis Tovey. Third would be Glenn Gould.
-
Roy Sonne I appreciate your top choice of Franz Liszt. I recently read a biography about him. He was phenomenal in so many ways. One of his characteristics that stands out - strikingly - is the way he transcended personalities and always valued and prized good Art. His confidence in himself and his genius propelled him to the heights, all the while he brought others along when possible. It was said that he was in a different musical and philosophical "camp" than Clara and Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms. No matter, Liszt still was magnanimous. To his credit.
-
Pauline Yes, Pauline! We agree completely. Among the great composers, Liszt was probably the most generous and benevolent as a human being. He helped any musician he came in contact with -- giving generously of his musical and technical advice, helping to make professional connections, and even helping with his money as the occasion arose.
-
Roy Sonne Yes, Liszt was very financially generous with people, too, in addition to being magnanimous. You may know/recall that Liszt was instrumental in getting the monument to Beethoven built in Bonn, Germany: financially and in terms of networking. We do owe him much! I am very grateful for his life and work! Thanks, Roy!
-
-
Dinner with Beethoven...
Question: Was Josephine the "Immortal Beloved"?
Comment to Beethoven: In addition to your magnificent musical creations and abilities, I admire your courage and perseverance. Your music - even after your hearing was severely compromised - was wondrous. Thank you!
That is what I would tell all of these exquisite musicians: Thank you!
-
Dinner with...Max Steiner, Erich Korngold, John Williams - composers, especially well-known for musical scores such as: "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (Steiner) and "Adventures of Robin Hood" (Korngold), and "Star Wars" (Williams).
Questions: Where do each of you begin when you embark on the journey of composing a musical score?
-
I would have dinner with either have dinner with Chopin or Beethoven, and ask to what they think their most sentimental piece is:) ( and probably ask Chopin about polish culture )
-
Mathias Regenberg I would love to know the answers to the questions you posited for Chopin or Beethoven. And it would be enjoyable to learn about Polish culture, too!
-
-
I dreamed of having dinner one stormy night in a schloss to honor three famous composers. Sergei had a lot of vodka.
After a fearsome burst of thunder, a tremendous gust of wind blew out the chandelier above the banquet table. In the dark a voice urged someone to relight the candles.
Then someone climbed on the table, tripping over the mutton and smashing the dishes. A voice called for someone to get Rachmoninoff.
Someone offered to give him a Handel.
Finally the light was restored, but one seat was empty, its former occupant having ducked under the table. He was Haydn.
Another fellow stepped out to recuperate, but after a moment he was Bach.
-
Michael
Clever!
-
-
I would love to spend an evening with Theodor Leschetizky. I don't even know what I would ask, but I would sit back and listen to anything he wanted to say about teaching piano and all his famous pupils.
I would give anything to have one more conversation with my middle school and high school teacher, Henry Gibson from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. He died some years ago. I would ask him who he studied with and learn much more about his past piano experiences. I would ask about his approach to teaching advanced repertoire and technique and write down every word. In other words, I would pay much better attention than I did as a teenage student.
