Several of Tomoko’s favorite composers were Romantics and were
born in May. Here is a sampling of them.
Wagner was born on May 22, 1813, in Leipzig and died
in 1883 in Venice. He was particularly known for his Romantic operas. His lieder that were often performed in the
original piano version.
Brahms was born on May 7, 1833, in Hamburg, and died
in 1987in Vienna. His Romantic approach
was exhibited in his professional piano composing, performing and conducting.
When he toured, he met with several famous peers: Liszt, Wagner, Berlioz, and the
Schumans. Most of his music was written for vocal performance, but he also
wrote two piano concertos.
Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840, in Votkinsk,
Russia and died in 1893 in St. Petersburg. A Romantic composer, he was the
first internationally renown composers. His piano music was often targeted to
the home market, which increased its popularity. Tchaikovsky started piano
lessons at age five, and was quite proficient by age ten, but then he was
forced to be trained to become a civil servant. As an adult, he received
Western musical theory training, which he merged with his Russian musical
upbringing.
Massenet was born on May 12, 1842, in Montaud, France
and died on 1912 in Paris. Similarly to Wagner, Massenet is most known for his 30+
Romanic operas, altjough he also wrote piano pieces. To earn a living Massenet
started as a private piano teacher and a piano accompanist. His first published
composition was a substantial piano work in nine sections.
Fauré was born on May 12, 1845, in Pamiers, France,
and died in 1924 in Paris. Fauré’s compositions bridged Romanticism and Modernism.
Although not born into a musical family,
he showed promise before the age of ten, and he was trained to be a church
organist. However, he preferred the piano to the organ. It was only in middle
age that he had enough time to compose, escaping from Paris to focus in the countryside.
