May (Birth) Day for Piano Composers

 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.

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?

 

Celebrate August's Composers' Birthdays

 

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.