Editor's Note:  Steinway Society audiences have had the privilege of hearing some great Chopin for the piano, including winner of the Gold Medal at the International Chopin Competition,  Seong-Jin Cho.   Here are Christopher's thoughts on why audiences love Chopin. It's also interesting to see how many films have used Chopin themes to convey emotion. Chopin is indisputably one of the most … [Read more...]

Editor's Note: To experience the joys of chamber music firsthand, come to our next concert where the ATOS Trio performs music by Turina, Mendelssohn, and Schubert. In this post, our blogger Christopher Richardson explores why chamber musicians love their genre.   Challenges In my opinion, some of the greatest fun to be had playing music involves chamber music. Summer music festivals … [Read more...]

Tune in now to YouTube to  hear Christopher Richardson play Chopin Piano Sonata #3 Op. 58  and Beethoven Piano Sonata Op. 81a   These are the pieces he performed at the California Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) competition, receiving first place in the state competition and the privilege of performing in the Southwest Division competition. In the January Division … [Read more...]

Editor's Note:  Our resident blogger, Christopher Richardson, recently placed first in the Young Artist category at the California Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) competition. We conducted this interview with Christopher to find out more about his latest accomplishment and how he prepared for the event. Q:  Christopher, congratulations on your recent victory in the Young Artist … [Read more...]

As both a musician and writer, I would like to explain why I celebrate the power music holds over our emotions. In particular, music is capable of producing two very different effects that are important to understand and appreciate: healing and hurting. Music accomplishes countless other purposes, but the way music elicits both positive and negative emotions is an important part of its magic. A … [Read more...]