Darius Milhaud and ‘Les Six’

French Composer of the Jazz Age with a Latin American Beat

© Tel Asiado

Apr 12, 2008

 

Life and Works of French composer Darius Milhaud, a member of Les Six and best known for Le Boeuf sur le Toit.

 

French composer Darius Milhaud belongs to the 1920s Jazz Age. A member of the famous French group of composers Le Six, he is best known for his ballet Le Boeuf sur le Toit (The Ox on the Roof’). He favoured bitonality, often used by Les Six.

Here’s the full article — Darius Milhaud  

 

Sir Arthur Bliss

English Conductor, Administrator and Composer of Colour Symphony

© Tel Asiado

Apr 12, 2008

 

Brief biography and works of British composer Sir Arthur Bliss, best known for orchestral Colour Symphony.

 

English composer Sir Arthur Bliss is known for his Colour symphony, for orchestra, and for Things to Come, a film score. He was believed to be the successor of Sir Edward Elgar, whom he knew at Cambridge.

Here’s the full article — Sir Arthur Bliss

 

Joaquin Rodrigo

Spanish Composer, Virtuoso Pianist, Famous for Guitar Music

© Tel Asiado

Apr 5, 2008

 

Brief biography and works of Joaquin Rodrigo, celebrated 20th century Spanish composer of Concierto de Aranjuez.

 

Joaquin Rodrigo is one of the most significant Spanish composers of the 20th century. He is best known for Concierto de Aranjuez and Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre. 

Here’s the full article — Joaquin Rodrigo, Life and Works

 

Samuel Barber, American composer

Neo-Classical Style Musician with Passion for Poetry and Drama

© Tel Asiado

Apr 1, 2008

 

Brief biography and works of American composer Samuel Barber, famous for ‘Adagio for Strings’ and Dover Beach.

 

Samuel Barber (1910-1981), an American composer of the neo-Classical style, is famous for his ‘Adagio for Strings’ and ‘Dover Beach.’ He created a “modern” grand opera Antony and Cleopatra, the first to be performed at the new Metropolitan Opera House (Met) in New York City, Sept 16, 1966.

Here’s the full article — Samuel Barber, American Composer

 

Franz Schreker, Composer

Austrian Conductor, Teacher, Founder of Vienna Philharmonic Choir

© Tel Asiado

Apr 1, 2008

 

Brief biography of Monaco-born Austrian composer Franz Schreker, founder and conductor of Vienna Philharmonic Choir and famous for Der Ferne Klang (The Distant Sound).

 

Franz Schreker (1878-1934), was a Monaco-born Austrian composer, conductor and teacher. He was famous for his operas Der Ferne Klang (The Distant Sound) and Der Schatzgraeber (The Treasure Digger), and ballet Der Geburstag de Infantin (The Infanta’s Birthday).  

Full article — Franz Schreker Biography 

 

Keys of Beethoven’s Symphonies

Someone asked me for the keys of Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphonies.  Here you go:

Symphony No.1 - C Major

symphony No.2 - D Major

Symphony No.3 - E Flat Major

Symphonu No.4 - B Flat Major

Symphony No.5 - C Minor

Symphony No.6 - F Major

Symphony No.7 - A Major

Symphony No.8 - F Major

Symphony No.9 - D Minor

 

Mendelssohn’s concerto for Two Pianos

Classical Music Lounge Datebook: July 13

On July 13, 1829, Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra of Felix Mendelssohn was first performed in London at a benefit concert for Silesian flood victims.

Mendelssohn himself, and Ignaz Moscheles were soloists.

 

Percy Aldridge Grainger

Classical Music Datebook: July 8

Australian-born American composer, pianist and music educator Percy Aldridge Grainger is born today,  July 8 (1882), in Melbourne, Australia.

 

Leos Janacek

Classical Music Lounge: July 3

Czech composer, Leos Janacek, is born today, July 3 (1854). 

He was also a conductor and teacher.   

 

Bartok’s Piano Concerto #1

Classical Music Lounge Datebook: July 1

On this day, July 1 (1927), Béla Bartok, Hungarian composer and pianist, is soloist in the first performance of his Piano concerto No. 1, in Frankfurt.