It is the start of the school year in many countries, and it is the month that several famous piano composers were born. Here are six examples, each with unique experiences.
Anton Bruckner was born on September 4, 1824, in Ansfelden,
Austria. Most of his piano compositions were written for teaching purposes.
Besides composing, Bruckner was a well-known organist and taught organ
performance.
Antonin Dvorak was born on September 8, 1841, in
Nelahozeves, Czech Republic. Known for his Romantic era nationalism in his music,
he later became the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America
in the U.S.
Arnold Schoenberg was born on September 13, 1874, in Vienna.
He is known for transforming how musical harmony is treated. Not only did he
compose music, but also he taught and wrote, and was a music theorist. Although
a teacher, he himself was largely self-taught in terms of learning about music
and composition.
Gustav Holst was born on September 21, 1874, in Cheltenham, UK.
Like Dvorak, Holst was inspired by—and promoted—English folk songs. He started
composing at age 12, but his father wanted him to become a professional
pianist; with his poor eyesight and asthma, Holst found piano playing difficult
so he stayed with composing.
Dmitri Shostakovich was born on September 25, 1906 in Saint
Petersburg, Russia. His mother started giving him piano lessons when he was
nine years old. Four years later he composed a funeral march in memory of
political murders. He started his professional career as a concert pianist and
composer, but was more successful in the latter arena.
George Gershwin was born on September 26, 1898, in New York
City. He began as a song plugger and recorded piano rolls, where he discovered
jazz. However, he was also influenced by neo-classical composers, including the
September composers Shostakovich, and Schoenberg.
