Zakir Hussain, the most prominent performer on the tabla, the tuned drum that is part of Indian ensembles playing classical ragas, has died at 73. Hussain, a mainstay of groups led by sitar master Ravi Shankar and other Indian classical artists, also regularly collaborated with Western classical, jazz and folk musicians, making him a leading…

Letter V Blog

18.12.2024

Review: Gandelsman & Wilson – Letter V

Johnny Gandelsman, violinJames Wilson, celloDec. 16, Church of the Holy Comforter, Episcopal Johann Sebastian Bach’s works for unaccompanied strings, the six sonatas and partitas for violin and six suites for cello, are among the greatest balancing acts in music, requiring advanced instrumental technique and mastery of musical structure, along with the sensitivity to turn abstract…

Letter V Blog

21.12.2024

Letter V Classical Radio Dec. 22 – Letter V

A baroque Christmas, featuring Corelli, Bach and Vivaldi – plus the most prolific of all composers, anon., and the tree-trimming music of choice at my house. 7-9 p.m. EST0000-0200 UTC/GMTWDCE, University of Richmond90.1 FMhttp://wdce.org Michel Corrette: “Noël Symphony” No. 6 in A majorLa Fantasia/Rien Voskuilen(Brilliant Classics) Vivaldi: GloriaKaia Urb & Vilve Hepner, sopranosAnna Zander, altoMati…

Letter V Blog

25.12.2024

‘Good gifts’ regiven – Letter V

“Give good gifts one to another” is Letter V’s traditional Christmas Eve offering. This 19th-century Shaker hymn is not a Christmas carol per se, but a song for all seasons and spiritual inclinations. Its admonition, “peace, joy and comfort, gladly bestow,” is always timely, especially so in times of anxiety and conflict. The performers are…

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Zakir Hussain (1951-2024) – Letter V

Review: Gandelsman & Wilson – Letter V

Letter V Classical Radio Dec. 22 – Letter V

‘Good gifts’ regiven – Letter V

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