Germany

14 December

December 14th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Bach, December, Solfeggio in C minor, Sonata in G minor

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach 8 March 1714 – 14 December 1788

Solfeggio in C minor H 220

Sonata in G minor H.542.5 (BWV 1020)

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
By Franz Conrad Löhr / After Johann Philipp Bach – http://www.bpk-images.de/?18671877727020631900&MEDIANUMBER=00092233, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44147555

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, born on 8 March 1714, was a German composer whose music helped bridge the Baroque and Classical eras. He was the second surviving son of the famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach. C. P. E. Bach became known for his sensitive style, which showcased emotional expression that contrasted with the rigid forms of Baroque music. His contributions to keyboard music were particularly influential, inspiring composers like Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.

After studying law at university, Bach turned to music, working initially in Berlin under Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia. Bach spent many significant years there, composing numerous sonatas and concertos. He later moved to Hamburg, where he became the Kapellmeister and focused on choral works. His music for the keyboard remains popular, with compositions such as “Solfeggietto” capturing listeners’ hearts.

25 November

November 25th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music November, Pieces for Flute Trio, Reichardt

Johann Friedrich Reichardt 25 November 1752 – 27 June 1814

Pieces for Flute Trio

Johann Friedrich Reichardt
By The original uploader was Jlorenz1@web.de at German Wikipedia.(Original text: Riedel Stich nach de:Anton Graff) – Transferred from de.wikipedia to Commons.(Original text: Hans Wahl, Anton Kippenberg: Goethe und seine Welt, Insel-Verlag, Leipzig 1932 S.130), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2808583

Johann Friedrich Reichardt was born on 25 November 1752 in Königsberg, East Prussia. He came from a musical family, as his father was a lutenist and Stadtmusiker. From a young age, Reichardt was trained in various instruments, including the violin and lute. At just ten years old, he toured East Prussia with his choir, the “Wunderknaben”. After being encouraged by the philosopher Immanuel Kant, he decided to study Jurisprudence and Philosophy. However, he pursued a career in music instead.

Reichardt’s talents earned him the role of Royal Prussian Court Kapellmeister, a prestigious position in the world of music. He married Juliane Benda, a talented singer and composer. His travels led him to Vienna, where he met famous composers like Mozart. Reichardt wrote about 1,500 Lieder, setting poetry to music, particularly influenced by Goethe. Despite facing political challenges, his work remained popular, and his music is still cherished today.

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.