Sit quietly in a large, ornate recital hall and don’t clap between movements. Know your Beethoven from your Bach—and be sure to brush up on your Italian, French, and German.
These types of high-minded mandates are why many people find classical music intimidating, says Daniel Anastasio ’11.
As a professional pianist with a doctorate in musical arts, Anastasio might seem like just the kind of person who could make the genre feel even more unwelcoming.
Instead, he has made it his mission to do the opposite.
Through social media videos and live performances around the country, Anastasio breaks down classical music for new and casual listeners—explaining what they’re hearing, why it sounds the way it does, and what makes centuries-old compositions worth listening to today.
“Just a little explanation and a little playing will show how immediately accessible and moving this music can be for anyone.”
Simon Wheeler, Cornell University
Cornell Provost Kavita Bala speaking with Kalaniyot Sabbatical Scholar Naomi Havron at the Kalaniyot reception Oct. 19. In the background, Kalaniyot Fellow Eden Eran Nagar speaks with Fellow Shachar Yerushalmi.
Ryan Young/Cornell University
Seidenberger built Hopper from scratch so students can see the logic on which it is built and play a role in developing it and improving it over the course of his class.
