Classical Cousins
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Lucia di Lammermoor – A Classical Cousin
For today’s classical (music) cousin, here is a favorite scene from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, or what I have previously called “Romeo and Juliet in Scotland.” The hapless Edgardo shows up just as his beloved Lucia (under her brother’s manipulation) has signed an arranged marriage contract. Fun fact: this opera holds a direct link to… Continue reading
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Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio – A Classical Cousin
Every so often a melody from my past will just pop into my head, unannounced and unprompted. Today it was the opening of Tchaikovsky’s piano trio, a piece I fell in love with as a teenager. There is something about this piece and its constant battle between major and minor keys that especially appeals to… Continue reading
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Sherlock Holmes and Korngold’s Violin Concerto – A Classical Cousin
Warning: Contains Sherlock Holmes series spoilers and extreme geekery I am feeling nostalgic this evening, so I thought I would write a post about something dear to me, and exceedingly trivial, that I don’t think I’ve told anyone before. 😆 Simply this—the connection between the Korngold violin concerto and the Sherlock Holmes series. Yes, these… Continue reading
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Kreisler’s "Syncopation" (1925) – A Classical Cousin
Recently, I dreamed I was playing the second movement of Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto, on stage, in front of a professional violinist, whom I was trying to “prove myself” to (!!). I did tolerably well, which is the surprising thing, considering I never learned the piece (though always wanted to). My violin Ever since then, I… Continue reading
About Me

Hi, I’m Marian—sharing a fondness for classics and other books here and on my YouTube channel. I’m a Christian, designer, and avid tea drinker, and my home is the beautiful Pacific Northwest, US.