There can be few figures in musical history able to claim the twin distinction of playing a piano recital with Brahms in attendance and winning an Oscar. Robert Stolz (1880-1975) is one and he studied conducting and piano. In 1899, he met Johann Strauss; this gave rise to what was to become an astonishing output […]

Several countries have their light operas: the British their Gilbert and Sullivan, the Spanish their zarzuelas, the French their operettes. All of these display quite tight-knit styles but the operetta tradition of Austria and specifically Vienna, is more diffuse, reflecting the differing styles of folk music found in the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. The world of […]