Germany

21 November

November 21st

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Marpurg, November, Sinfonia 'per clavicembalo'

Friedrich Wilhelm Marpurg 21 November 1718 – 22 May 1795

Sinfonia 'per clavicembalo'

Friedrich Wilhelm Marpurg
By Friedrich Kauke – This file comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID btv1b8422284m, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32907668

Friedrich Wilhelm Marpurg was a significant German music critic, theorist, and composer born on 21 November 1718. He was respected as one of the leading music critics of the mid-18th century and was friendly with influential thinkers of the Enlightenment. Although details about his early life are scarce, it is known that he studied philosophy and music, which contributed to his successful career.

In 1746, Marpurg moved to Paris as a secretary for a General, where he met famous intellectuals like Voltaire and composer Jean-Philippe Rameau. After returning to Berlin, he became involved in music criticism and writing. He published extensively between 1750 and 1763, with notable works that include his influential treatise on the Fugue. Marpurg’s writings supported the development of German music theory, demonstrating his understanding of vocal and instrumental music. Despite his quarrelsome nature, he was also seen as courteous.

12 October

October 12th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music October, Sonata d-moll, Weiss

Sylvius Leopold Weiss 12 October 1687 – 16 October 1750

Sonata d-moll

Sylvius Leopold Weiss
By After Balthasar Denner – This file comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID btv1b84259008, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=186372

Sylvius Leopold Weiss was a famous German composer and lutenist, born on 12 October 1687 in Grottkau, near Breslau. He was the son of Johann Jacob Weiss, who was also a lutenist. Throughout his life, Weiss became one of the most important composers of lute music and was highly regarded for his technical skills. He worked at various courts, including those in Breslau, Rome, and Dresden, where he eventually passed away on 16 October 1750.

Weiss had notable connections in the music world, becoming friends with Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, the son of the renowned composer J.S. Bach. Their friendship led to competitions in improvisation, showcasing their remarkable talents. Johann Friedrich Reichardt, a contemporary, described the awe-inspiring challenges Weiss posed to Bach, highlighting the impressive skills both musicians possessed.

Weiss wrote over 1,000 pieces for the lute, many of which are dance suites and sonatas. His music continues to inspire artists today, including Anelia Pavlova, who created a painting based on Weiss’s works.

7 October

October 7th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Draeseke, Gudrun, October

Felix Draeseke 7 October 1835 – 26 February 1913

Gudrun Overture

Felix Draeseke
By Robert Sterl – http://www.deutschefotothek.de/documents/obj/70251299, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1477192

Felix August Bernhard Draeseke was a notable composer born on 7 October 1835 in Coburg, Germany. He was part of the “New German School,” influenced by famous composers like Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner. Draeseke showed musical talent early, composing his first piece at just eight years old. His family supported his decision to pursue music, and although his time at the Leipzig Conservatory was not particularly beneficial, he later embraced the style of the New German School.

In 1862, Draeseke moved to Switzerland to teach music before returning to Germany in 1876, where he settled in Dresden. He achieved significant success, particularly after joining the Dresden Conservatory. Throughout his life, he composed a wide variety of works, including eight operas and many orchestral pieces. His music was well-received during his lifetime but faded from popularity after World War II. However, in recent years, recordings have sparked renewed interest in his impressive catalogue of compositions.

5 October

October 5th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Axel F, October

Harold Faltermeyer Born 5 October 1952

Axel F

Harold Faltermeyer
By Animagus – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52410457

Hans Hugo Harold Faltermeyer, born on 5 October 1952, is a renowned German musician, composer, and record producer. He gained fame for composing the “Axel F” theme for the film Beverly Hills Cop, which became a defining synth-pop hit of the 1980s. In addition to this, he created the “Top Gun Anthem” for the movie Top Gun and composed music for Chevy Chase films such as Fletch and Fletch Lives. His work on both Beverly Hills Cop and Top Gun earned him Grammy Awards in 1986 and 1987, respectively.

Faltermeyer was born in Munich to a homemaker and a construction businessman. He began playing the piano at six, later developing a keen interest in rock music. His career took off after he moved to Los Angeles, where he collaborated with notable artists like Donna Summer and produced hit albums. Not only did he make his mark in film scoring, but he also played a significant role in the evolution of synthesizer music, solidifying his status as an influential figure in the music industry.

2 October

October 2nd

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Bruch, October, Symphony No.2 in F minor

Max Bruch 6 January 1838 – 2 October 1920

Symphony No.2 in F minor Op.36

Max Bruch
By What We Hear in Music, Anne S. Faulkner, Victor Talking Machine Co., 1913,Imported from English Wikipedia: [1] originally uploaded by User:RJHall, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=966169

Max Bruch was a German composer, violinist, and conductor, born on 6 January 1838 in Cologne. He came from a musical family; his mother was a talented singer. Bruch’s journey in music began when he wrote his first song at the age of nine. He received early training from notable composers and eventually studied in Bonn, where he explored his passion for music.

Bruch’s career flourished as he took on various musical posts throughout Germany. He is best known for his Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, which became a major part of the violin repertoire. This concerto showcases Bruch’s rich melodies and emotional depth. He also composed the Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra and the Kol Nidrei for cello, both of which remain popular today.

In his personal life, Bruch married Clara Tuczek, and they had three sons and a daughter. He continued composing until his death on 2 October 1920, leaving behind a legacy of over 200 works that celebrated the Romantic musical tradition.

17 September

September 17th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Ave generosa, Hildegard, September

Hildegard of Bingen c. 1098 – 17 September 1179

Ave generosa

Hildegard of Bingen
By Unknown author – Miniature from the Rupertsberg Codex of Liber Scivias., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1718595

Hildegard of Bingen, born around 1098 in Germany, was a remarkable Benedictine abbess. Celebrated as a polymath, she excelled as a writer, composer, philosopher, and healer during the High Middle Ages. Known as the “Sibyl of the Rhine,” she composed sacred music, and her works remain some of the most recorded from medieval times. Hildegard’s spiritual journey began early; she experienced visions and described them as the “reflection of the living Light.”

In 1136, she became magistra of her convent, later founding two monasteries in Rupertsberg and Eibingen. Hildegard’s writings encompassed theology, herbal medicine, and even an invented language called Lingua Ignota. Despite health challenges, she made significant contributions to music and natural history. Hildegard’s legacy was recognised when she was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Her influence persists today, inspiring those interested in spirituality, music, and healing through natural remedies.

Robert_and_Clara_Schumann_Daguerrotype_(cropped)

13 September

September 13th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Piano Concerto in A minor, Schumann, September

Clara Schumann 13 September 1819 – 20 May 1896

Piano Concerto in A minor Op.7

Clara Schumann
By Johann Anton Völlner, Hamburg – https://www.schumann-zwickau.de/de/03/03/portraits-robert-schumann.php, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/19/books/review/robert-schumann-judith-chernaik-biography.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=164172548

Clara Josephine Schumann was a remarkable German pianist and composer, born on 13 September 1819 in Leipzig. She began her piano lessons at the age of four, trained by her father, who was also a pianist. Clara was a child prodigy, giving her first public performance at just nine years old. At eighteen, she married fellow composer Robert Schumann, and together they had eight children. Clara not only performed her husband’s music but also supported him throughout his career and after his tragic death in 1856.

Throughout her 61-year career, Clara toured Europe, gaining fame for her expressive playing style that focused more on emotion than technical showmanship. She was a pioneer in changing concert programmes, introducing a blend of solo pieces and chamber music. In 1878, she became a piano teacher at Dr. Hoch’s Konservatorium in Frankfurt, where she influenced many young musicians. Clara Schumann passed away on 20 May 1896. Her compositions and performances are celebrated worldwide.

12 September

September 12th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music, North America, United States of America F1, Paul's Dream, September, Time, Zimmer

Hans Zimmer Born 12 September 1957

Paul's Dream

Time

F1

Hans Zimmer
By ColliderVideo, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74281970

Hans Zimmer, born on 12 September 1957 in Frankfurt, Germany, is a celebrated film composer and music producer. He has created the music for over 150 films, winning two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and five Grammy Awards. Zimmer’s most notable works include the scores for The Lion King (1994) and Dune (2021), both of which earned him Oscars for Best Original Score. He is renowned for blending electronic music with traditional orchestral sounds, revolutionising film scores since the 1980s.

Zimmer began playing the piano as a child, but disliked formal lessons, preferring to teach himself. His passion for film music grew when he listened to his favourite film composer, Ennio Morricone. He moved to London as a teenager and started his career writing advertising jingles, eventually collaborating with film directors like Christopher Nolan on multiple occasions. His innovation and creativity have made his music iconic, enhancing many beloved films and influencing future composers around the world.

1 September

September 1st

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Canon in D, Pachelbel, Pachelbel's Canon, September

Johann Pachelbel Baptised 11 September [O.S. 1 September] 1653 – buried 9 March 1706

Pachelbel's Canon Canon in D, P 37

Pachelbel’s Tomb
CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=482177

Johann Pachelbel was a renowned German composer and organist, born in Nuremberg in 1653. He played a significant role in the development of baroque music, especially through his contributions to the organ schools of southern Germany. Pachelbel is best known today for his iconic work, the Canon in D, a piece commonly played at weddings and special occasions. His music, which includes sacred and secular compositions, reflects an uncomplicated yet beautiful melodic style.

Throughout his life, Pachelbel taught many students who would go on to become important musicians themselves. His early education included studying with influential teachers, enhancing his understanding of music. He moved across various German cities, including Vienna and Erfurt, where he composed many pieces for church services.

Pachelbel’s works often explore themes like love and faith. He experimented with different musical forms, such as chorale preludes and fugues. Despite facing personal tragedies, such as the loss of family members, his legacy remains strong in the music world.

*Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) indicate dating systems before and after a calendar change, respectively. Usually, they refer to the change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar as enacted in various European countries between 1582 and 1923.

7 August

August 7th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music August, Prelude in A major, Preludium A dur, Rinck

Christian Heinrich Rinck 18 February 1770 – 7 August 1846

Preludium A dur Prelude in A major

Christian Heinrich Rinck
By L. Becker – http://aleph08.libis.kuleuven.be:1801/webclient/StreamGate?folder_id=200&dvs=1462871188207~259, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48681769

Johann Christian Heinrich Rinck was a renowned German composer and organist born on 18 February 1770 in Elgersburg, Thuringia. He passed away on 7 August 1846 in Darmstadt, aged 76. Rinck studied under Johann Christian Kittel, a pupil of the famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach. His career flourished when he became Kantor at the music school in Darmstadt and held the position of court organist from 1813.

Rinck was a prolific composer, known particularly for his organ music. One of his notable works is the set of Variations on ‘Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman’, Opus 90, published in 1828. This melody is widely recognised as the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Throughout his career, he taught several distinguished musicians and made significant contributions to choral and chamber music. His legacy includes the ‘Practical Organ School,’ which remains an essential resource for organ students today. Rinck’s influence can still be felt in the world of classical music.