Haydn Trumpet Concerto E flat
"Surprise Symphony"
Symphony no. 45, f# min, I Allegro Assai "Farewell"
Austrian
Born: March 31, 1732 in Rohrau, Austria
2.Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
3/4/1678 - 7/28/1741
Born in Italy
Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice, Italy, which is where he spent most of his life. His father taught him to play the violin, and the two would often perform together.
Antonio continued to study and practice the violin, even after he became a priest. He was called the "Red Priest" because of his flaming red hair. However, after a while, his bad asthma kept Antonio from saying Mass.
After that, Vivaldi spent all his time writing music and teaching. He taught at an orphanage for girls, and wrote a lot of music for the girls to play. People came from miles around to hear Vivaldi's talented students perform the beautiful music he had written.
Many people think Vivaldi was the best Italian composer of his time. He wrote concertos, operas, church music and many other compositions. In all, Antonio wrote over 500 concertos. His most famous set of concertos is The Four Seasons.
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Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) Italian Baroque Era Composer
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Antonio Vivaldi
was born on March 4, 1678 in Venice, Italy. Antonio's father, Giovanni
Battista, a barber before becoming a violinist, taught young Antonio to
play the violin and then toured Venice playing the violin with him.
At the age of 15, Antonio began
training to become a priest. At the age of 25, he was ordained a priest
and soon after became known as the II Prete Rosso, "The Red Priest",
because of his red hair. Due to his health, he left the priesthood in
1703 after only 3 years. But he was still able to pursue a career in music.
Vivaldi's music is joyful, almost playful, revealing his own joy of composing. In addition, Vivaldi was able to compose non-academic music which means it would be enjoyed by many people rather than just college professors. It was these qualities that made Vivaldi's music very popular.
Vivaldi's The Four Seasons,
composed in 1723, is a set of four concertos for violin. It is his most
popular work and is among the most popular works of the Baroque Era. For this composition he wrote sonnets to match each season.
3. Handel
4. Bach
3/21/1685 - 7/28/1750
Born in Germany
Johann
Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany, where his father was a
town musician. Bach came from a long line of composers - over 300
years' worth of Bachs all worked as professional musicians. By the time
Johann was 10, both his parents had died, so he was brought up by his
older brother, who was a church organist. Johann became a very good
organist, too.
Johann Sebastian Bach held three major jobs in his life: first he worked for a duke, then for a prince, and finally, he became director of music at the St. Thomas Church and School in Leipzig, Germany. Even though his job in Leipzig kept him very busy, in his spare time, Bach conducted a group of musicians who liked to get together to perform at a local coffee house.
During his lifetime, people thought of Bach as just an ordinary working musician. No one really knew much about his music until 100 years after his death, when another composer, Felix Mendelssohn, conducted a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
Bach is now seen as one of the greatest geniuses in music history. He wrote all kinds of music -- for organ and other keyboard instruments, orchestras, choirs, and concertos for many different instrumental combinations.
5. Chopin
Johannes Brahms 5/7/1833 - 4/3/1897
Born in Germany
Johannes
Brahms was born in 1833 in the German city of Hamburg. His father was a
musician who played several instruments. Brahms loved music, too. By
the time he was six, he'd invented his own system for writing notes down
on a page. Of course, he took instrument lessons, learning to play
cello, horn, and piano. By the time he was ten, he was such a good
pianist that he performed in public, as part of a chamber music concert.
Brahms also loved books and read everything he could find including
novels, poetry, and folk tales.
When Brahms was older, he toured as an accompanist, playing piano for a Hungarian violinist. That music -- and the gypsy bands Brahms heard later on when he traveled to Hungary -- inspired his Hungarian Dances, which were a hit with the public. He wrote 21 dances in all. The most famous one is the Hungarian Dance No. 5.
Many people considered Brahms to be the successor to Beethoven. For a long time, he didn't want to write a symphony, because he was afraid his work would not be as good as Beethoven's. Brahms ended up writing four symphonies, plus pieces in every musical form except opera. You may know one of his most famous pieces, the Lullaby.
In fact, Brahms became so famous, he is now known as one of the 3 B's -- Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms -- of classical music.
6. Brahms
Johannes Brahms 5/7/1833 - 4/3/1897
Born in Germany
Johannes Brahms was born in 1833 in
the German city of Hamburg. His father was a musician who played several
instruments. Brahms loved music, too. By the time he was six, he'd
invented his own system for writing notes down on a page. Of course, he
took instrument lessons, learning to play cello, horn, and piano. By
the time he was ten, he was such a good pianist that he performed in
public, as part of a chamber music concert. Brahms also loved books and
read everything he could find including novels, poetry, and folk
tales.
When Brahms was older, he toured as an accompanist, playing piano for a Hungarian violinist. That music -- and the gypsy bands Brahms heard later on when he traveled to Hungary -- inspired his Hungarian Dances, which were a hit with the public. He wrote 21 dances in all. The most famous one is the Hungarian Dance No. 5.
Many people considered Brahms to be the successor to Beethoven. For a long time, he didn't want to write a symphony, because he was afraid his work would not be as good as Beethoven's. Brahms ended up writing four symphonies, plus pieces in every musical form except opera. You may know one of his most famous pieces, the Lullaby.
In fact, Brahms became so famous, he is now known as one of the 3 B's -- Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms -- of classical music.
7.Tchaikovsky
8. Beethoven
3. Handel
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George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) German Baroque Era Composer
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George Frideric Handel was born on February 23, 1685 in the North German province of Saxony in the same year as Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach. George's father wanted him to be a lawyer even though music captivated his attention. His mother, however, supported his interest in music and he was allowed to take keyboard and music composition lessons. His aunt gave him a harpsichord for his seventh birthday which Handel played whenever he had the chance.
In 1702, Handel followed his father's wishes and
began his study of law at the University of Halle. After his father's
death in the following year, he returned to music and accepted a
position as the organist at the Protestant Cathedral. In the next year
he moved to Hamburg and accepted a position as a violinist and harpsichordist at the opera house. It was there that Handel's first operas were written and produced.
In 1710, Handel accepted the position of
Kapellmeister to George, Elector of Hanover, who was soon to be King
George I of Great Britain. In 1712, he settled in England where Queen
Anne gave him a yearly income.
In the summer of 1717, Handel premiered one of his greatest works, Water Music,
in a concert on the River Thames. The concert was performed by 50
musicians playing from a barge positioned closely to the royal barge
from which the King listened. It was said that King George I enjoyed it
so much that he requested the musicians to play the suite three times
during the trip!
By 1740, Handel completed his most memorable work - the Messiah. It is said that when the king first heard the "Hallelujah Chorus" he rose to his feet. This tradition continues today.
On April 6, 1759 Handel conducted his last performance of the Messiah and returned home
in poor health. He died on April 14, 1759 and was buried in Poet's
Corner of Westminster Abby in London, England. More than 3000 people
attended his funeral.
2/23/1685 - 4/14/1759
Born in Germany
Georg
Friedrich Händel was born in Halle, Germany. But since he spent most
of his professional life in England, he's better known as George
Frederick Handel.
Even though Handel was very interested in music, his father (who was a barber and surgeon) was not. There's a story that Handel smuggled a clavichord -- a VERY quiet instrument -- into the house so that he could practice in secret. Handel's father insisted that his son become a lawyer, until the day that Handel sat down at the keyboard and dazzled a duke. The duke convinced Handel's father to let his son study music.
What Handel really loved was opera. At the time, Italy was the place to learn about that, so Handel went to Italy for four years. After he got home to Germany, he was hired as court composer to a prince. But he immediately asked for time off to go to England, where people really liked Italian opera. (When the English got tired of opera, Handel built a whole new career for himself composing oratorios.)
Through a strange set of circumstances, Handel's princely German employer wound up becoming king of England. When he got to London, he didn't need to hire a court composer, because he found his court composer from Germany -- namely Handel -- was there!
Born in Germany
Georg
Friedrich Händel was born in Halle, Germany. But since he spent most
of his professional life in England, he's better known as George
Frederick Handel.
Even though Handel was very interested in music, his father (who was a barber and surgeon) was not. There's a story that Handel smuggled a clavichord -- a VERY quiet instrument -- into the house so that he could practice in secret. Handel's father insisted that his son become a lawyer, until the day that Handel sat down at the keyboard and dazzled a duke. The duke convinced Handel's father to let his son study music.
What Handel really loved was opera. At the time, Italy was the place to learn about that, so Handel went to Italy for four years. After he got home to Germany, he was hired as court composer to a prince. But he immediately asked for time off to go to England, where people really liked Italian opera. (When the English got tired of opera, Handel built a whole new career for himself composing oratorios.)
Through a strange set of circumstances, Handel's princely German employer wound up becoming king of England. When he got to London, he didn't need to hire a court composer, because he found his court composer from Germany -- namely Handel -- was there!
3/21/1685 - 7/28/1750
Born in Germany
Johann
Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany, where his father was a
town musician. Bach came from a long line of composers - over 300
years' worth of Bachs all worked as professional musicians. By the time
Johann was 10, both his parents had died, so he was brought up by his
older brother, who was a church organist. Johann became a very good
organist, too.
Johann Sebastian Bach held three major jobs in his life: first he worked for a duke, then for a prince, and finally, he became director of music at the St. Thomas Church and School in Leipzig, Germany. Even though his job in Leipzig kept him very busy, in his spare time, Bach conducted a group of musicians who liked to get together to perform at a local coffee house.
During his lifetime, people thought of Bach as just an ordinary working musician. No one really knew much about his music until 100 years after his death, when another composer, Felix Mendelssohn, conducted a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
Bach is now seen as one of the greatest geniuses in music history. He wrote all kinds of music -- for organ and other keyboard instruments, orchestras, choirs, and concertos for many different instrumental combinations.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) German Baroque Era Composer
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Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany in 1685. As a child, Bach's father taught him to play violin and harpsichord.
His uncles were all musicians, serving as church organists and court
chamber musicians. One of his uncles, Johann Christoph Bach, introduced
him to the art of organ playing.
In 1707, Bach married his second
cousin Maria Barbara Bach. They had seven children. In 1720 Maria died
and Bach married Anna Magdalena Wilcke in 1721. Bach had 13 more
children with Anna Magdalena. He was a father to 20 children in all.
In 1723, Bach became the cantor, organist, and music composer for St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Leipzig, Germany. Bach remained there for the rest of his life.
Some of Bach's most famous works include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Well-Tempered Clavier, and the celebrated organ work Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.
Johann Sebastian Bach died in 1750. Bach was not
appreciated during his own lifetime and was considered an
"old-fashioned" composer. Today, Bach is considered to be one of the
most influential composers of all time. In fact, he is now such an
important composer that the year of his death is a defining point in
music history. It marks the end of the Baroque Era.
5. Chopin
Johannes Brahms 5/7/1833 - 4/3/1897
Born in Germany
Johannes
Brahms was born in 1833 in the German city of Hamburg. His father was a
musician who played several instruments. Brahms loved music, too. By
the time he was six, he'd invented his own system for writing notes down
on a page. Of course, he took instrument lessons, learning to play
cello, horn, and piano. By the time he was ten, he was such a good
pianist that he performed in public, as part of a chamber music concert.
Brahms also loved books and read everything he could find including
novels, poetry, and folk tales.
When Brahms was older, he toured as an accompanist, playing piano for a Hungarian violinist. That music -- and the gypsy bands Brahms heard later on when he traveled to Hungary -- inspired his Hungarian Dances, which were a hit with the public. He wrote 21 dances in all. The most famous one is the Hungarian Dance No. 5.
Many people considered Brahms to be the successor to Beethoven. For a long time, he didn't want to write a symphony, because he was afraid his work would not be as good as Beethoven's. Brahms ended up writing four symphonies, plus pieces in every musical form except opera. You may know one of his most famous pieces, the Lullaby.
In fact, Brahms became so famous, he is now known as one of the 3 B's -- Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms -- of classical music.
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Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Polish Romantic Era Composer
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Frederic Chopin was born on March 1, 1810 in Poland. His father was French and his mother was Polish. In his future the music of both of these nations would influence his compositions. Some of his works for piano are called mazurkas and polonaises, which are polish dances.
As a child he showed an intelligence that allowed
him to absorb everything. As he grew older, so did his abilities of
observation, drawing, and his uncommon ability to imitate what he
observed.
Frederic's first professional piano teacher was the
respected Wojciech Zywny. He was devoted to the piano and his skills
soon surpassed those of his teacher. At the age of seven, his public
performances began to be compared to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as a child, and to his contemporary, Ludwig van Beethoven.
No other composer could play the piano like Chopin. His performances showed exceptional tenderness, happiness and boldness.
Chopin's love of Poland is captured in a small
silver box filled with Polish earth which he carried with him when he
left Poland at the age of 21. The silver box was buried with him when
he died in Paris on October 17, 1849 at the age of 38.
Johannes Brahms 5/7/1833 - 4/3/1897
Born in Germany
Johannes Brahms was born in 1833 in
the German city of Hamburg. His father was a musician who played several
instruments. Brahms loved music, too. By the time he was six, he'd
invented his own system for writing notes down on a page. Of course, he
took instrument lessons, learning to play cello, horn, and piano. By
the time he was ten, he was such a good pianist that he performed in
public, as part of a chamber music concert. Brahms also loved books and
read everything he could find including novels, poetry, and folk
tales.
When Brahms was older, he toured as an accompanist, playing piano for a Hungarian violinist. That music -- and the gypsy bands Brahms heard later on when he traveled to Hungary -- inspired his Hungarian Dances, which were a hit with the public. He wrote 21 dances in all. The most famous one is the Hungarian Dance No. 5.
Many people considered Brahms to be the successor to Beethoven. For a long time, he didn't want to write a symphony, because he was afraid his work would not be as good as Beethoven's. Brahms ended up writing four symphonies, plus pieces in every musical form except opera. You may know one of his most famous pieces, the Lullaby.
In fact, Brahms became so famous, he is now known as one of the 3 B's -- Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms -- of classical music.
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Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) German Romantic Era Composer
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Johannes Brahms
was born in Hamburg, Germany on May 7, 1833. Johannes' father, a town
musican, gave him his first musical instruction. At the age of seven he
studied piano with Otto Friedrich Willibald Cossel. Young Brahms gave concerts in Hamburg and worked playing piano in restaurants and theaters to help support his family.
When Brahms was 20 he met famous composers Franz
Liszt and Robert Schumann. Schumann was so impressed with Brahms' music
that he wrote an article for a music journal that made Brahms famous.
Brahms' success was also due to his hard work and his critical attitude
toward his own music. He never felt he could live up to the standard
set by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Brahms was one of the few music composers who could devote his time completely to composing without having to accept other employment.
In fact, he spent so much time with his composing that he sometimes
neglected his appearance. Sometimes, when he forgot to attach his
suspenders, he would have to hold his pants up while conducting to keep
them from falling down.
In 1889 Thomas Edison, an American inventor, visited Brahms in Vienna and invited him to perform for an experimental recording.
Brahms played an abbreviated version of Hungarian Dance No.1 on the
piano. The performance is one of the earliest recordings ever made by a
major composer.
Listen to Brahms' historic performance of Hungarian Dance No.1 on YouTube.com.
In later years, Brahms often participated in
performances of his own compositions. In 1890, at the age of 57, he
decided to give up composing. But this did not last long. He soon
started composing again and his efforts in these final years produced
several works that are now recognized as masterpieces.
Johannes Brahms died on April 3, 1897, a celebrated composer of the Romantic Era. His most notable works include his Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, Liebeslieder Waltzes, Academic Festival Overture and his Lullaby.
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Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Russian Romantic Era Composer
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Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in 1840 in present-day Udmurtia, Russia. His father was a Ukrainian mining engineer. Peter began piano lessons at the age of five, and within three years he could read music as well as his teacher.
In 1850, Peter's father was appointed as the
Director of the St. Petersburg Technological Institute. It was there
that Peter received his education at the School of Jurisprudence. The
only music instruction he
received were piano lessons from a piano manufacturer who occasionally
made visits to the school. He also attended the opera and theater with
his classmates. It was the works of Rossini, Bellini, Verdi and Mozart that he enjoyed the most.
Peter's mother died in 1854, which brought him much sorrow. He responded by turning to music. It was at this time that he made his first serious efforts as a composer, writing a waltz in her memory.
In 1855, Peter's father asked a well-known German piano teacher to encourage his son's interest in music.
However, when Peter's father asked about his son's musical potential,
his teacher wrote that nothing indicated he would be a fine composer or performer. His father asked Peter to complete his course of study and then pursue a post in the Ministry of Justice. He did as he was asked, though his interest in music never left him.
In 1861, Tchaikovsky heard about classes being
offered by the Russian Musical Society. He promptly began his studies.
In the following year, Tchaikovsky followed his teacher to the St.
Petersburg Conservatory where he accepted a post. It was at the
conservatory that he met and studied with Anton Rubinstein, director and
founder of the Conservatory. Rubinstein was impressed with
Tchaikovsky's talent.
In 1869 Tchaikovsky composed his first recognised masterpiece, the Overture-Fantasy Romeo and Juliet. Tchaikovsky was deeply inspired by Shakespeare's writing, and in later years composed other works for The Tempest and Hamlet.
On November 6, 1893 Tchaikovsky died in St. Petersburg from cholera. His compositions are some of the greatest works of the Romantic Era, including the 1812 Overture, March Slav, and The Nutcracker, which has become a Christmas season favorite.
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
3/18/1844 - 6/21/1908
Born in Russia
Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
was born in the Russian town of Tikhvin. During his childhood, Nikolai
enjoyed listening to Russian folk songs, church music, and opera.
When he was older, Nikolai followed his brother to the naval college in St. Petersburg. While he was there, he also studyied music. Rimsky-Korsakov composed his first symphony while on a navy ship.
After he left the navy, Rimsky-Korsakov was asked to teach at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, which is now called named for him. Rimsky-Korsakov was also one of a group of five famous Russian composers knwon as "The Mighty Handful" (as in five fingers).
Rimsky-Korsakov wrote operas, choral music, chamber music, and works for piano. One of his most famous pieces is the Flight of the Bumblebee, from the opera Tsar Saltan. In the opera, this music is played when a prince disguises himself as bee.
Born in Russia
Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
was born in the Russian town of Tikhvin. During his childhood, Nikolai
enjoyed listening to Russian folk songs, church music, and opera.
When he was older, Nikolai followed his brother to the naval college in St. Petersburg. While he was there, he also studyied music. Rimsky-Korsakov composed his first symphony while on a navy ship.
After he left the navy, Rimsky-Korsakov was asked to teach at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, which is now called named for him. Rimsky-Korsakov was also one of a group of five famous Russian composers knwon as "The Mighty Handful" (as in five fingers).
Rimsky-Korsakov wrote operas, choral music, chamber music, and works for piano. One of his most famous pieces is the Flight of the Bumblebee, from the opera Tsar Saltan. In the opera, this music is played when a prince disguises himself as bee.
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Ludwig van Beethoven (Baptized Dec 16, 1770-1827) German Classical/Romantic Era Composer
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Ludwig van Beethoven
was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770, to Johann van Beethoven and Maria
Magdalena Keverich. Although Beethoven's exact birth date is not known,
his family celebrated it on December 16. Ludwig's first musical
instruction came from his father Johann who was said to have been a
harsh instructor. Johann later asked his friend, Tobias Pfeiffer, to
teach his son. It seems that the harsh treatment continued, as Johann
and his friend would come home late on occasion to pull young Ludwig
from his bed to practice until morning.
Ludwig's talent was recognized early on, and by 1778 he was learning to play the organ and viola in addition to his piano
studies. His most important teacher in Bonn was Christian Gottlob
Neefe, a Court organist. It was Neefe who helped Beethoven publish his
first piece of music.
In 1787, young Beethoven decided to travel to Vienna, hoping to meet and study composition with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
It is not clear if he succeeded in meeting or studying with Mozart. By
his twenties Beethoven began to suffer from hearing loss. He did,
however, continue to compose, conduct and perform, even after he was
completely deaf. One story recalls that after conducting the premiere
of his Ninth Symphony he had to be turned around to see the
overwhelming applause of the audience. When he heard nothing, he began
to weep.
Ludwig van Beethoven's most popular pieces are his Fifth Symphony, Für Elise for piano solo, and his Ninth Symphony, which includes the melody Ode to Joy. He is remembered as an important composer in the transitional period between the Classical Era and Romantic Era in music and continues to be one of the most famous and
influential composers of all time.Ludwig van Beethoven 12/16/1770 - 3/26/1827
Born in Germany
Ludwig van Beethoven was born in
Bonn, Germany. His father, who was a singer, was his first teacher.
After a while, even though he was still only a boy, Ludwig became a
traveling performer, and soon, he was supporting his family.
In his early twenties, Beethoven moved to Vienna, where he spent the rest of his life. Beethoven was one of the first composers to make a living without being employed by the church or a member of the nobility. At first, he was known as a brilliant pianist. But when he was around 30 years old, Beethoven started going deaf. Even though he could no longer hear well enough to play the piano, Beethoven composed some of his best music after he was deaf!
Beethoven is considered one of the greatest musical geniuses who ever lived. He may be most famous for his nine symphonies, but he also wrote many other kinds of music: chamber and choral music, piano music and string quartets, and an opera.
For Timeline:
Baroque (1600 - 1750)
Classical (1735 - 1825)
Romantic (1815 - 1835)
20th Century (1850-1950)
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