Go for Baroque

One of Tomoko’s CD piano albums features Baroque pieces. While the modern piano) was not invented until the very end of the Baroque era, the period is defined by keyboard masters who wrote for its predecessors: the harpsichord, clavichord, and organ. Today, their works are standard repertoire for modern pianists. 

The "Big Three" keyboard masters were Bach, Scarlatti, and Handel.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) is considered the definitive Baroque master. His The Well-Tempered Clavier is often called the "Old Testament" of piano music. Other essentials include the Goldberg Variations, English and French Suites, and his many Inventions.

Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757) was an Italian composer famous for writing over 555 keyboard sonatas. His works introduced innovative techniques like hand-crossing and rapid repetitions that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on a keyboard.

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) is best known for his 8 Great Suites (HWV 426–433), which are standard for modern performance. 

Other Baroque keyboard composers are known more in their own country.

In England, John Blow (1549-1708) wrote 30 odes for royal celebrations (he was James II private musician), 50 secular song-like pieces and more than a hundred anthems. One of his students, Henry Purcell (1659-1695), wrote distinctive English suites and rounds.

In France, Francois Couperin (1668-1733) is known for his elegant harpsichord pieces with their intricate ornamentation. Countryman Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) was a renown music theorist who used composition techniques never known before, but placed them within the framework of old-fashioned forms.

In Germany, Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) mastered counterpoint and wrote influential organ/keyboard variations. The Danish composer Dietrich Buxtehude’s (1637-1707) works are typical of the North German organ school.

In Italy, Girolamo Frescobaldi pioneered early Baroque toccata and ricercar forms. Baroque composer countryman Domenico Zipoli (1688-1726) is remembered as the most accomplished musician and composer among Jesuit missionaries; he worked mainly in South America. Italian Lodovico Giustini (1685-1743) is credited with writing the first music specifically for the piano.

Thankful for November Piano Composers

 

In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated in November. It is a time to be thankful, and we can be thankful for several pianists and composers who were born in November. Here are a few of them.

Francois Couperin was born on November 10, 1668, in Paris, and died there. He is the most well known musician among his musically talented family. He first became an organist like his father, and composed for that instrument. Later he composed for the harpsichord, and wrote a manual on how to play the harpsichord.

Alexander Borodin was born on November 12, 1833, in St. Petersburg, and died there. Borodin was a cellist and is best known for his symphonies, although he also wrote for the piano. Nevertheless, music was more of a hobby, as he was a doctor and chemist, particularly in organic chemistry.

Anton Rubinstein was born on November 28, 1829, in Podolsk, Russia, and died in Petergof (Russia). He was a virtuoso pianist; among his achievements was playing seven concerts that covered the history of piano music. He wrote many piano works, and was a successful teacher—including teaching composition to Tchaikovsky.

Aaron Copland was born on November 14, 1900, in New York City and died there. He has been called the Dean of American composers because his compositions evoke American landscapes and pioneer spirit. Many of his works “speak” the vernacular of America. Hie composed in many genres: from ballet to film scores, along with piano scores. He was also a professional teacher and pianist.

Benjamin Britten was born on November 22, 1913, in Lowestoft, UK. Britten composed for orchestras, chamber groups, the piano, and vocal groups. He was particularly interested in composing for children and amateur performers, for which his opera Noye’s Fludde is the most famous. Britten was also a celebrated pianist.

Who know what young person born in November of the 21^st century will become a famous pianist and composer, who will be thanked by future audiences and musicians?

 

November Piano Composers

Tomoko asserts that pianists should get acquainted with the composers of the piano pieces they are performing. Fall for these ten great piano composers who were born in November.

November 2, 1729: Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf was an Austrian violinist and composer for several instruments, including the piano. He was a friend of Mozart and Haydn.

November 6, 1860: Ignacy Jan Paderewski was a Polish music teacher and composer; he was also an internationally popular piano performer. He served as Poland’s prime minister in World War I, and signed the Treaty of Versailles.

November 7, 1810: Ferenc Erkel was a Hungarian pianist and composer. He is known as the father of Hungarian opera, and composed Hungary’s national anthem.

November 11, 1668: Francois Couperin was a French Baroque composer and organist. His most famous books was The Art of Harpsichord Playing, and he composed four volumes of harpsichord music.

November 14, 1900: Aaron Copland was an American composition teacher and conductor, and well as being called the Dean of American Composers. He is known for his populate style.

November 22, 1913: Benjamin Britten. One of Tomoko’s favorite composers, Britten was an English pianist, conductor and composer. Besides writing operas, he wrote solo pieces. He was also interested in writing music for children, the most notable piece being Noye’s Fludde.

November 24, 1868: Scott Joplin was an African American pianist and composer. He has been called the King of Ragtime, and considered this musical genre a form of classical music.

November 25, 1785: Franz Gruber was a German organist and composer. He is best known as the composer of Silent Night.

November 25, 1897: Virgil Thompson was an American    He studied piano at Harvard, and composed for that instrument – as well as composed operas and film music. He was awarded that National Medal of Arts by President Reagan.

November 28, 1829: Anton Rubinstein was a Russian performing pianist, conductor and composer.  He was also Tchaikovsky’s composition teacher.