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A few years ago I had the pleasure of hearing the German bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff in recital. He did a program of lieder, primarily Brahms, so the music for the evening was all German language. However, at one point, he stopped and spoke in perfect English to ask the  audience to “refrain from turning the pages of your program until after the piano has stopped.”

In addition to the need to speak foreign languages when we travel or for business, musicians sometimes have to communicate with colleagues whose first language is not English. Furthermore, singers, especially classical singers, often sing in foreign languages, so it would be helpful for them to understand the language in which you are singing.

Today, there are many language courses available that you can use at home, so there is no excuse for not trying to learn other languages. Click these links to get started learning another language or to re-familiarize yourself with a language where you have become rusty. Here are links where you can buy languages courses for French, German, Italian and Spanish. All of the courses have a money-back guarantee!

So one day when you are performing before a foreign speaking audience, you will be able to communicate in the audience’s language, or perhaps give an interview for your foreign language fans in their language.

By the way, Thomas Quasthoff’s recital was wonderful.

Fast Tube by Casper

Do you like electronic music? Much of the music that you hear today is at least partially electronic: It is produced by synthesis or sample playback through a computer. The music in this post is electronic music. Read the rest of this entry »