Germany

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.

29 July

July 29th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music July, Schumann, Traumerei

Robert Schumann 8 June 1810 – 29 July 1856

Traumerei

Robert Schumann
By Josef Kriehuber – This image has been extracted from another file, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=507281

Robert Schumann was a German composer and pianist born in Zwickau on 8 June 1810. He played a significant role in the early Romantic era, creating works for piano, voice, orchestra, and even opera. Schumann grew up in a well-off family, but his passion was music rather than law, which he initially studied. He began taking piano lessons with Friedrich Wieck. Despite facing challenges with his right hand that hampered his performance, Schumann focused on composing beautiful pieces like “Carnaval” and “Kinderszenen.”

In 1840, Schumann married Clara Wieck, despite her mother’s disapproval. Their relationship was supportive, inspiring much of his music, including enchanting songs. He later became a music critic, establishing the “Neue Zeitschrift für Musik” to promote new composers. Unfortunately, Schumann struggled with mental health issues, leading him to spend time in a sanatorium, where he passed away on 29 July 1856. Today, he is remembered for his profound influence on music, inspiring many future composers.

28 July

July 28th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Bach, BWV 1043, BWV 1054, BWV 1068, BWV 140, BWV 147, BWV 565, BWV 596, BWV 816, Double Violin Concerto in D minor, French Suite No. 5 in G major, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, July, Keyboard Concerto No. 3 in D Major, Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, Organ Concerto in D Minor, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme

Johann Sebastian Bach 31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685 – 28 July 1750

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 140

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring BWV 147

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BWV 565

Organ Concerto in D Minor BWV 596

French Suite No. 5 in G major BWV 816

Double Violin Concerto in D minor BWV 1043

Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major BWV 1068

Keyboard Concerto No. 3 in D Major BWV 1054

Johann Sebastian Bach
By Elias Gottlob Haussmann – https://www.jsbach.net/bass/elements/bach-hausmann.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1270015

Johann Sebastian Bach was a famous composer and musician born in Germany in 1685. He came from a family of musicians and began playing the violin and organ at a young age. Bach is well-known for his incredible ability to write music that was both complex and beautiful. He composed over a thousand pieces, including concertos, cantatas, and keyboard works.

One of Bach’s most famous pieces is the “Brandenburg Concerto,” which showcases his skill in blending different instruments together. He also wrote music for church services, reflecting his deep faith. Although he was popular during his lifetime, his music fell out of fashion after his death in 1750. It was not until the 19th century that musicians and composers rediscovered his work, leading to a great revival of interest in his music.

Today, Bach is celebrated as one of the greatest composers in Western classical music. His music continues to inspire and influence musicians around the 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.

Joseph_Siffred_Duplessis_-_Christoph_Willibald_Gluck_-_Google_Art_Project

2 July

July 2nd

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Dance of the Blessed Spirits, Gluck, July, Orfeo ed Euridice

Christoph Willibald Gluck 2 July 1714 – 15 November 1787

Orfeo ed Euridice Wq. 30, Act 2: Dance of the Blessed Spirits

Christoph Willibald Gluck
By Joseph-Siffred Duplessis – Google Arts & Culture: Home – pic, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22003146

Christoph Willibald Gluck was a famous composer from Germany, born in 1714. He is best known for his remarkable opera music, which changed how operas were written and performed in the 18th century. At the time, most operas had complex storylines and long, elaborate songs that could sometimes confuse audiences. Gluck believed that opera should focus more on the story and emotions of the characters.

One of his most famous works is “Orfeo ed Euridice,” which tells the tragic tale of Orpheus, who follows his beloved Euridice into the underworld. Gluck’s music in this opera is beautiful and powerful, making the audience feel the characters’ love and sadness. He wanted to create a better experience for people watching opera, so he simplified the music and highlighted the importance of the singers’ acting. Gluck’s innovative ideas greatly influenced composers who came after him, making him a key figure in the history of classical music.

24 June

June 24th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music June, Kyrie, Theile

Johann Theile 29 July 1646 – 24 June 1724

Kyrie

Johann Theile
By Concord – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34219287

Johann Theile was a notable German composer and musician born in 1646. He is best known for his contributions to the world of opera, particularly during the Baroque period. Theile studied at the University of Leipzig, where he discovered his passion for music. He composed various works, including operas that were performed in the vibrant cultural scenes of German cities.

One of his most famous operas, “Absalom,” was based on a biblical story and showcased his ability to create powerful melodies that captured the audience’s attention. Theile also wrote church music, which reflected the deep religious sentiments of his time. His music often combined emotional depth with complex harmonies, which was characteristic of the Baroque style.

Despite facing challenges in his career, Theile’s influence on music was significant. His works laid the groundwork for future composers and enriched the German musical tradition. Johann Theile passed away in 1732, but his music continues to be celebrated today.

11 June

June 11th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music Also Sprach Zarathustra, June, Metamorphosen, Strauss

Richard Strauss 11 June 1864 – 8 September 1949

Metamorphosen

Also Sprach Zarathustra

Richard Strauss
By Max Liebermann – http://www.smb-digital.de/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=958865&viewType=detailView, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=613951

Richard Strauss was a renowned German composer and conductor born in 1864 in Munich. Coming from a musical family, he displayed remarkable talent as a child, writing his first compositions early on and receiving formal training in music. Strauss became famous for his tone poems, which express deep emotions and tell stories through music. Notable works, like Don Juan and Also sprach Zarathustra, gained international acclaim.

He also collaborated with librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal, creating famous operas such as Salome and Der Rosenkavalier. These operas captivated audiences with their intricate emotional layers and beautiful melodies. Later in life, Strauss’s music grew reflective, especially in pieces like Metamorphosen. His legacy endures through his ability to blend complex ideas with powerful emotions, making him a significant figure in 20th-century classical music.

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5 June

June 5th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music June, Piano Concerto No.1 in C-major, von Weber

Carl Maria von Weber c. 18 November 1786 – 5 June 1826

Piano Concerto No.1 in C-major Op.11, J 98

Carl Maria von Weber
By Caroline Bardua – 1. umnofil.ru2. GalleriX, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22630453

Carl Maria von Weber was a German composer, conductor, pianist, and critic, born in 1786. He is best known for his important role in creating German Romantic opera. Coming from a musical family, he was trained by notable teachers, such as Michael Haydn. Weber’s music combined German folk traditions with dramatic orchestration, helping to establish a unique national opera tradition.

His most famous work, Der Freischütz, features supernatural themes and folk melodies. This opera’s overture is still one of his most performed pieces today. Later, he composed operas like Euryanthe and Oberon, which continued to influence future composers, including Wagner.

In addition to opera, Weber wrote concertos and chamber music. His Clarinet Concertos are essential pieces for clarinet players, highlighting his talent for writing for woodwinds. As a conductor, he valued precision and emotion in orchestral performances, while also contributing to music criticism and theory, promoting a distinctly German operatic style.

22 May

May 22nd

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music May, Parsifal, Procession To The Minster, Wagner

Richard Wagner 22 May 1813 – 13 February 1883

Procession To The Minster

Parsifal

Richard Wagner
By Franz Hanfstaengl – https://www.flickr.com/photos/8460649@N05/10305635725, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55183

Richard Wagner was a German composer born in 1813 in Leipzig. He is best known for his operas, which are dramatic musical works that tell stories through music and singing. Wagner’s most famous operas include “The Ring Cycle,” “The Flying Dutchman,” and “Tristan und Isolde.” His music is known for its rich harmonies and emotional depth, which influenced many composers who followed him.

Wagner revolutionised opera by creating a new style that combined music, poetry, and visual arts. He believed that music should express deep human emotions, and he often wrote about themes such as love, destiny, and heroism. His operas were usually set in mythical or historical times, transporting audiences to different worlds through his powerful storytelling.

Although Wagner faced criticism during his life, today he is celebrated as one of the greatest composers. His works continue to be performed in theatres around the world, showing his lasting influence on the world of music.

14 May

May 14th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music May, Mendelssohn, Ostersonate, Piano Sonatas, Sonata in C Minor H-U 128, Sonata in G Minor H-U 395, Sonatensatz in E H-U 44

Fanny Mendelssohn 14 November 1805 – 14 May 1847

Piano Sonatas Sonata in G Minor, H-U 395; Ostersonate; Sonatensatz in E H-U 44; Sonata in C Minor, H-U 128

Fanny Mendelssohn
By Moritz Daniel Oppenheim – https://thejewishmuseum.org/collection/31380-portrait-of-fanny-mendelssohn-hensel, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=508946

Fanny Mendelssohn was a talented composer and pianist born in 1805 in Hamburg, Germany. She came from a family that valued music. Her brother, Felix Mendelssohn, was also a famous composer. Fanny showed a love for music at a young age and began composing her own pieces. Despite her extraordinary talent, society at the time did not fully recognise women as composers.

Fanny studied music privately and often held concerts in her home, inviting many musicians to perform. She composed around 460 pieces of music, including songs, piano works, and chamber music. Although she was not able to publish her work under her own name in the early years, Fanny’s music was appreciated by her peers.

In 1846, she held a concert in Berlin that showcased her compositions to a larger audience for the first time. Today, Fanny Mendelssohn is remembered as a significant figure in classical music, inspiring future generations of musicians.

3 April

April 3rd

Thomas Pitts Europe, Germany, Music April, Brahms, String Sextet No. 1 in B flat major

Johannes Brahms 7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897

String Sextet No. 1 in B flat major Op.18

Johannes Brahms
By C. Brasch, Berlin (biography) – http://wicr.uindy.edu/Education/Composers/BrahmsJ.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=318118

Johannes Brahms was a famous German composer and pianist born in Hamburg in 1833. He is celebrated as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. From a young age, Brahms displayed remarkable musical talent. His skills were recognised by Robert Schumann, who became his mentor and encouraging figure. In search of new opportunities, Brahms moved to Vienna, where he quickly became a prominent member of the city’s vibrant music scene.

Brahms dedicated himself to his work, often revisiting his compositions multiple times before sharing them with the world. His music is known for blending traditional classical styles with the emotional intensity typical of the Romantic period. He composed four symphonies, concertos, choral pieces, and beautiful chamber music, with works like A German Requiem standing out. His influence on later composers is profound, and his music continues to be enjoyed for its depth and beauty. Brahms passed away in 1897, yet he is forever remembered as a brilliant musical genius.