Behind the rather dashing pseudonym of ‘Konsgaard’ lies a slightly less dashing, yet considerably more intriguing character – Constantine. A self-taught arts aficionado, Constantine has spent the better part of his life devouring, dissecting, and disseminating his thoughts on classical music, cinema, and literature. He’s the rare breed who finds pleasure in taking his Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music to the bathroom, or curling up in his dorm with the Gramophone Magazine, Cahiers du Cinéma, Sight and Sound, and a host of literary magazines. These are not just casual pastimes for Constantine, but lifelong companions that have shaped his understanding of the arts.
His journey with art reviews began in his teens, penning thoughts on films, music, and books in his trusty notebook. As he grew, his passion found a wider audience through newspapers, magazines, and various websites. He flirted with blogging, for a time running separate blogs for each art form, before deciding to gather all his musings under one digital roof. Thus, “The High Arts Review” was born, with Konsgaard as its charmingly sarcastic and slightly mysterious face.
For someone so steeped in the arts, it’s somewhat ironic that Constantine’s academic background strays into the terrains of European Politics and Education Policy, with an MSc and a pending PhD to his name. But life is full of delicious contradictions, isn’t it? His love for learning didn’t stop at the arts or academia, though, as Constantine is also a certified life and business coach, aiding artists, classical musicians, and anyone in need to explore their full potential.
When Constantine is not penning a review, you’ll find him at the gym. Yes, this NASM-certified personal trainer and fitness enthusiast enjoys lifting weights almost as much as he enjoys lifting the standards of arts criticism!
Konsgaard’s vision for The High Arts Review is both lofty and personal. He seeks to lift the veil on the high arts, exploring their complexities with equal parts wit and wisdom, sardonic humor and sophistication. Whether it’s a review of a recently released movie, a discussion on a masterpiece of classical music, or an analysis of a groundbreaking piece of literature, Konsgaard’s goal is to bring the high arts to the masses, making them as addictive as that late-night slice of chocolate cake.
His favorite artists? He loves Bach but asserts that Beethoven, Bruckner, and Allan Pettersson (what do you mean you haven’t heard of him???) are his favorite symphonists. In the realm of cinema, his admiration for Andrei Tarkovsky, Ingmar Bergman, and Michelangelo Antonioni is unwavering (and he insists on that specific order!) As for fiction, he often mentions four writers as his favorite novelists: Leo Tolstoy, Thomas Mann, Henry James, and, of course, Marcel Proust!
So there you have it, the man behind Konsgaard. Armed with his intellect, wit, and perhaps an annoying attention to detail, he will often complain about a cough in a pianississimo passage of a slow movement or comment on the opening credits format of a film! A little sophisticated, a little sarcastic, and always insightful, Konsgaard invites you to explore The High Arts Review, where the ordinary becomes more analytical, and the high arts become a touch more human.
Please free to contact him using the Contact button in the menu.
