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.