While August may seem shy in terms of holidays – except for
Europeans who take a month-long holiday-like vacation – August celebrates
several distinguished piano composers who were born that month.
Chronologically, one of the first to remember is Antonio
Salieri, born on August 18, 1750, in Legnago, Italy. At this point in history,
he is probably most associated (sadly) with Mozart. Unlike Mozart, he was
considered an important teacher (including of one of Mozart’s sons!) Salieri
mainly wrote operas and orchestral works, but he also wrote piano and organ
concertos.
One of Tomoko’s favorite composers, Claude Debussy, was born
on August 22, 1862, in Saint-Germaine-en-Laye, France. He wrote 24 piano preludes
and 12 études, and he was called an early impressionist composer because of his
focus on nature’s beauty, represented by nuanced musical color and texture. He was influenced by Chopin and, in turn, influenced
Bartok, another favorite composer of Tomoko.
George Enescu was born on August 19, 1881, in Liveni-Varnav,
Romania. He is considered one of the great musicians in Romania. Tomoko thinks
most child prodigies may be harmed by early exposure, Enescu might be an
exception. He composed his first piece, for piano and violin, at age vie, and
was the youngest student admitted to the Vienna Conservatory – at age seven. He
was productive as a composer, conductor and teacher all his life. Much of his music was influenced by Romanian
folk music (Bartok’s appreciation of Romanian folk dances).
A more recent composer, Leonard Bernstein, was born on
August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Wildly popular for his musicals,
he wrote in many genres, including piano pieces, and was an excellent pianist.
Bernstein is also known for his teaching about classical music on television.
Any of their works can make your August special.
