Essays
Essays
ART ESSAYS
Académie julian: coming of age in 1960s paris - art, culture, and self-discovery
A fifteen-year-old's immersive experience at Paris's Académie Julian art school transforms her understanding of art, culture, and French life.
Académie julian: coming of age in 1960s paris - art, culture, and self-discovery
Energy Symbols: A Visual Language for Emotional Healing and Self-Realization
Artist Ross Drago describes a wave-form language depicting emotions as energy patterns
Energy Symbols: A Visual Language for Emotional Healing and Self-Realization
Energy symbols_ a visual language for emotional healing and self-realization
Energy symbols are a wave form language developed to depict the invisible world of our identities
Energy symbols_ a visual language for emotional healing and self-realization
Step in martinique_ immersive art and music experience brings caribbean culture to london
Step in Martinique: Immersive Art and Music Experience Brings Caribbean Culture to London
Step in martinique_ immersive art and music experience brings caribbean culture to london
LITERATURE ESSAYS
Censorship in Iran: A Writer's Journey from Silence to Exile
An Iranian writer reveals how state censorship threatened his creativity and forced him into exile, before finding hope in collective resistance.
Censorship in Iran: A Writer's Journey from Silence to Exile
Polish Philosopher Jacek Dobrowolski's Double Life: From Academic Philosophy to Literary Success as Maks Wolski
Polish philosopher Dobrowolski writes groundbreaking philosophy and literature, challenging cultural norms through his alter ego Maks Wolski's acclaimed novel Nicuś.
Polish Philosopher Jacek Dobrowolski's Double Life: From Academic Philosophy to Literary Success as Maks Wolski
Poison Tongue: A Child's Struggle for Family Truth
A boy's perception of his bedridden father is manipulated by a grandmother's vicious stories, revealing complex family dynamics.
Poison Tongue: A Child's Struggle for Family Truth
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: How China's Greatest Novel Shaped Asian Culture
An introduction to China's epic novel Three Kingdoms, exploring its historical context, major themes, and lasting influence on Asian civilization.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: How China's Greatest Novel Shaped Asian Culture
Spinoza and Buddhism: Philosophical Paths to Liberation Across East and West
Parallel insights between Spinoza and Buddhism reveals shared understanding of reality, selfhood, and liberation despite vastly different cultural origins
Spinoza and Buddhism: Philosophical Paths to Liberation Across East and West
The Birch Tree's Lesson: A Polish Tale of Homeless Heroes, Animal Rescue, and Life's Simple Truths
An elderly Polish woman befriends a homeless bottle collector, revealing how kindness, survival, and authenticity thrive in life's unexpected corners.
The Birch Tree's Lesson: A Polish Tale of Homeless Heroes, Animal Rescue, and Life's Simple Truths
Wisdom for Poland: Can Benjamin Franklin's Pragmatism Transform Polish National Character?
A Polish author explores how during Ukraine's crisis, Benjamin Franklin's practical wisdom offers an antidote to romantic Polish national tendencies
Wisdom for Poland: Can Benjamin Franklin's Pragmatism Transform Polish National Character?
MUSIC ESSAYS
Ben Franklin's Glass Harmonica: The Beautiful Musical Invention With a Dangerous Reputation
TFranklin's innovative glass instrument produced enchanting sounds but had a sinister reputation for allegedly causing madness in musicians and listeners.
Ben Franklin's Glass Harmonica: The Beautiful Musical Invention With a Dangerous Reputation
Ben Franklin's Glass Harmonica: The Beautiful Musical Invention With a Dangerous Reputation
Turkey's Classical Music Revolution: From Franz Liszt to Idil Biret (1847-1985)
Ben Franklin's Glass Harmonica: The Beautiful Musical Invention With a Dangerous Reputation
Don Pasquale: Lessons in Character Development from Donizetti's Comic Opera
A younger bass singer reflects on portraying elderly Don Pasquale, learning to balance humor with authenticity while performing in unconventional positions.
Don Pasquale: Lessons in Character Development from Donizetti's Comic Opera
Don Pasquale: Lessons in Character Development from Donizetti's Comic Opera
Turkish piano prodigy Idil Biret faced systematic industry blacklisting despite exceptional talent, vast repertoire, and millions of recordings sold.
Don Pasquale: Lessons in Character Development from Donizetti's Comic Opera
From Istanbul Radio to Opera Stage: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Turkish basso shares how his mother's musical influence and operatic roles help him express emotions and connect with audiences.
From Istanbul Radio to Opera Stage: A Journey of Self-Discovery
From Vienna Opera to War-Torn Europe: The Remarkable Life of Vahdet Auntie
TA Turkish mezzo-soprano's journey from musical acclaim in Vienna to escaping Nazioccupied Austria, remembered through a child's admiring perspective.
From Vienna Opera to War-Torn Europe: The Remarkable Life of Vahdet Auntie
Idil Biret's Essential Recordings: A Piano Maven's Guide to the Turkis Virtuoso's Best Work
This podcast episode provides a detailed overview of the extensive discography of Turkish pianist Idil Biret. The host, Jed Distler, highlights some of Biret's best recordings across a wide range of composers,
Idil Biret's Essential Recordings: A Piano Maven's Guide to the Turkis Virtuoso's Best Work
Idil Biret and Pierre Boulez: A Remarkable Musical Partnership
Turkish pianist Idil Biret revolutionized Boulez's piano sonatas, earning critical acclaim and selling 30,000 recordings despite industry resistance
Idil Biret and Pierre Boulez: A Remarkable Musical Partnership
Idil Biret, Turkish Pianist, Bridges East and West Through Classical Music
Pianist Idil Biret, discovered at age five, studied under Boulanger, Cortot, and Kempff, and became a Turkish cultural ambassador to the world
Idil Biret, Turkish Pianist, Bridges East and West Through Classical Music
Idil Biret, Bach, and Mastery of The Well-Tempered Clavier
Naxos releases Bach keyboard concertos featuring pianist Idil Biret with Turkish soloists and Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. Collection showcases works for one to four keyboards.
Idil Biret, Bach, and Mastery of The Well-Tempered Clavier
idil Biret Foundation Established By Sefik Kahramankaptan
The İdil Biret Foundation preserves the legendary pianist's 75-year archive in Istanbul, supporting young musicians
idil Biret Foundation Established By Sefik Kahramankaptan
Idil Biret's Classical Musical Legacy in Turkey: A Personal Reflection on Her Impact
Pianist Idil Biret, discovered at age five, studied under Boulanger, Cortot, and Kempff, and became a Turkish cultural ambassador to the world
Idil Biret's Classical Musical Legacy in Turkey: A Personal Reflection on Her Impact
Music in Wartime: From Wagner's Militarism to Ukraine's Freedom Orchestra and the Cellist of Sarajevo
Comparing music that inspires war with music inspired by war–from Wagner's mythic battles to the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra's healing performances–Cumhur Görgün shows us how music can empower propaganda or create peace.
Music in Wartime: From Wagner's Militarism to Ukraine's Freedom Orchestra and the Cellist of Sarajevo
My 60-Year Journey with Ravel and Gaspard de la Nuit by Idil Biret
Pianist Idil Biret reflects on a lifetime of performing Ravel, from Paris Conservatoire studies in the 1960s,
My 60-Year Journey with Ravel and Gaspard de la Nuit by Idil Biret
Nadia Boulanger: The Musical Socrates Who Transformed Composition
Boulanger had profound impact as music's greatest teacher; her spiritual approach inspired composers from Stravinsky, to Bernstein, to Glass
Nadia Boulanger: The Musical Socrates Who Transformed Composition
Nadia Boulanger: Moral Leadership and the Spiritual Essence of Music
Exploring Boulanger's leadership, influence, and relationships, revealing how she inspired a diverse tribe of musicians to preserve classical music traditions.
Nadia Boulanger: Moral Leadership and the Spiritual Essence of Music
Nadia Boulanger: A Tribal Leader Who Shaped 20th Century Classical Music
The profound bond formed during wartime between musical genius Nadia Boulanger and her modest student Ruth Robbins lasted for decades until Boulanger’s death in 1979.
Nadia Boulanger: A Tribal Leader Who Shaped 20th Century Classical Music
Nadia Boulanger and Ruth Robbins: An Unexpected Friendship That Helped Preserve Musical Legacy During WWII
The profound bond formed during wartime between musical genius Nadia Boulanger and her modest student Ruth Robbins lasted for decades until Boulanger’s death in 1979.
Nadia Boulanger and Ruth Robbins: An Unexpected Friendship That Helped Preserve Musical Legacy During WWII
Portraying Henry VIII in Donizetti's Anna Bolena: A Basso’s Journey into Tudor History
Cumhur Görgün explores the historical context in Donizetti's opera and complex motivations in Henry VIII's relationships
Portraying Henry VIII in Donizetti's Anna Bolena: A Basso’s Journey into Tudor History
Playing It Forward in Music, Art, and Literature
European fascination with Ottoman culture inspired composers, writers, and artists to incorporate Turkish elements into their works from the 16th through the 19th centuries.
Playing It Forward in Music, Art, and Literature
The Rape of Lucretia: Britten's Timeless Opera Explores War, Violence, and Human Nature at Philadelphia's AVA
Cumhur Görgün discusses Britten's challenging 1946 opera exploring sexual violence, war, and societal brutality, performed at Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts.
The Rape of Lucretia: Britten's Timeless Opera Explores War, Violence, and Human Nature at Philadelphia's AVA
Turquerie: Ottoman Influence on European Classical Music, Art, and Literature
European fascination with Ottoman culture inspired composers, writers, and artists to incorporate Turkish elements into their works from the 16th through the 19th centuries.
Turquerie: Ottoman Influence on European Classical Music, Art, and Literature
Turkish Bass Cumhur Görgün Wins Inaugural Post-Pavarotti International Vocal Competition
Turkish Bass Cumhur Görgün Wins Inaugural Post-Pavarotti International Vocal Competition
Turkish Bass Cumhur Görgün Wins Inaugural Post-Pavarotti International Vocal Competition
The Transformative Power of Musical Genius: A 50-Year Journey of Admiration and Inspiration
TFranklin's innovative glass instrument produced enchanting sounds but had a sinister reputation for allegedly causing madness in musicians and listeners.
The Transformative Power of Musical Genius: A 50-Year Journey of Admiration and Inspiration
Vinyl Revival: Idil Biret's Historic Classical Recordings Return to LP Format
Legendary pianist Idil Biret announces new vinyl LP series for 2024-2025, featuring historic recordings
Vinyl Revival: Idil Biret's Historic Classical Recordings Return to LP Format