Europe

7 October

October 7th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Germany 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.

6 October

October 6th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe Cavatina, Myers, October

Stanley Myers 6 October 1930 – 9 November 1993

Cavatina

Stanley Myers
By Unknown – Original publication: UnknownImmediate source: https://ximo.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/la-cavatina-de-stanley-myers/, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51005387

Stanley Myers was an English composer and conductor, born on 6 October 1930 in Birmingham. He was renowned for his work in film and television, scoring over sixty productions. Myers collaborated closely with notable filmmakers like Nicolas Roeg and Jerzy Skolimowski. His most famous composition is “Cavatina,” an evocative guitar piece that first appeared in the 1970 film The Walking Stick and later became the signature theme for the acclaimed film The Deer Hunter in 1978. This piece earned him an Ivor Novello Award and has been popularised through various recordings.

Aside from feature films, Myers composed incidental music for television shows, including the theme for the BBC’s Question Time and episodes of Doctor Who. He was also an early mentor to Hans Zimmer, another esteemed film composer. Myers worked with several directors throughout the 1980s, gaining recognition at the Cannes Film Festival for his score for Prick Up Your Ears.

5 October

October 5th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Germany 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 Composer Of The Day, Europe, Germany 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.

1 October

October 1st

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France Dukas, L'apprenti sorcier, October, The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Paul Dukas 1 October 1865 – 17 May 1935

The Sorcerer's Apprentice L'Apprenti sorcier

Paul Dukas
By Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3032648

Paul Abraham Dukas was a French composer born on 1 October 1865 in Paris. Known for his shy personality and perfectionism, Dukas discarded many of his works. His most famous composition is “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (L’apprenti sorcier), which gained worldwide fame after appearing in the Disney film Fantasia. Dukas also composed the opera “Ariane et Barbe-bleue”, his Symphony in C, and various pieces for piano, including the “Piano Sonata in E-flat minor”.

After studying at the Conservatoire de Paris, Dukas became a music critic and contributed to several journals. He later became a respected professor, teaching many notable composers like Olivier Messiaen and Maurice Duruflé. Despite his talent, Dukas never achieved the recognition he desired during his lifetime. He did, however, earn the respect of both conservative and progressive musicians of his time. Dukas passed away on 17 May 1935, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful, yet often overlooked, compositions that continue to resonate today.

28 September

September 28th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Estonia, Europe Preludes, Saar, September

Mart Saar 28 September [O.S. 15 September] 1882 – 28 October 1963

Preludes 1 to 28

Mart Saar
By Karl Akel[1] (†1942)↑ Põhjavaim. Valik Mart Saare ja Tuudur Vettiku kirju (koostaja Tiiu Tosso). Tallinn: Eesti Teatri- ja Muusikamuuseum, 2007, lk 7. ISBN 9789949153558 – pianolog.ru / image, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30580854

Mart Saar was an influential Estonian composer, organist, and collector of folk songs, born on 28 September 1882. He grew up in a small village called Hüpassaare, where his father worked in forestry and taught him music at home. Saar attended local schools, studying under Joosep Kapp, another prominent composer. In 1901, he left for the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, where he graduated in 1908 and furthered his studies until 1911. Saar then became a music teacher in Tartu and moved to Tallinn in 1921 to work as a freelance composer.

During his life, Saar married twice and had three children. His music often combined the essence of Estonian folk traditions with newer styles, reflecting his deep love for Estonia’s nature. Some of his well-known works include “Oh Kodumaa” and “Küll ma Laulaks”. Saar’s compositions are celebrated for their emotional depth and often explore themes of life and nature. He passed away on 28 October 1963, leaving a lasting legacy in Estonian music.

*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.

Композитор_Дмитрий_Дмитриевич_Шостакович

25 September

September 25th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Russia Romance, September, Shostakovich, String Quartet No. 8, Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Symphony No. 5 in D minor

Dmitri Shostakovich 25 September [O.S. 12 September] 1906 – 9 August 1975

Symphony No. 5 in D minor Op. 47

Symphony No. 10 in E Minor Op. 93

String Quartet No. 8 Op. 110

Romance Movement 8 from The Gadfly Suite, Op. 97a

Dmitri Shostakovich
By Unknown author – Original publication: Газета «Красная звезда» №86 (5150) от 12 апреля 1942 годаImmediate source: Государственный каталог Музейного фонда Российской Федерации, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=96288935

Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich was a significant Soviet composer and pianist, born on 25 September 1906 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He gained fame after the premiere of his First Symphony in 1926. Shostakovich had a complicated relationship with the Soviet government, with his opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk initially being successful, but later condemned. This led to professional challenges, particularly under state censorship.

Throughout his career, Shostakovich produced numerous works, including 15 symphonies, string quartets, and concertos for various instruments. His music often featured striking contrasts and elements of the grotesque, influenced by other composers like Gustav Mahler. He also engaged with political themes, especially during and after the Second World War, using his music to comment on the struggles of his time.

After his passing, his reputation continued to grow. Many scholars explored the meaning behind his music, particularly its connection to his experiences under Soviet rule.

24 September

September 24th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe Rutter, September, Suite for Strings

John Rutter Born 24 September 1945

Suite for Strings

John Rutter
By vocalessence – https://www.flickr.com/photos/vocalessence/3221596118/in/photostream/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21591590

Sir John Milford Rutter is a distinguished English composer, conductor, and record producer known for his exceptional choral music. Born on 24 September 1945 in London, Rutter’s musical journey began at Highgate School, where he was a chorister. He later studied music at Clare College, Cambridge, and became the director of music there from 1975 to 1979. In 1981, he founded the Cambridge Singers, a choir he conducts, and they have recorded many of his works.

Rutter’s compositions include popular Christmas carols, anthems, and significant pieces like the “Requiem” and “Gloria.” His music is celebrated for its melodic inventiveness and technical skill. Notably, his works have been performed at major events such as the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton and the Coronation of King Charles III.

Despite facing health challenges in the late 1980s, Rutter’s influence in the world of music remains profound, and he continues to inspire musicians globally with his unique sound.

23 September

September 23rd

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe Arnold, September, Symphony No. 9

Malcolm Arnold 21 October 1921 – 23 September 2006

Symphony No. 9

Malcolm Arnold
By http://www.chester-novello.com, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15861810

Sir Malcolm Henry Arnold was an English composer and conductor, born on 21 October 1921 in Northampton. He created a diverse range of music, including nine symphonies, numerous concertos, chamber music, and scores for over one hundred films, such as the award-winning The Bridge on the River Kwai. Arnold’s music is known for its lively rhythms and beautiful melodies. Growing up in a musical family, he learned to play the trumpet at age 12 and went on to study at the Royal College of Music. By his thirties, he had shifted his focus entirely to composition, becoming one of Britain’s most renowned composers alongside Benjamin Britten.

Throughout his career, Arnold also composed for the theatre, writing ballets and operas. However, his later years were clouded by personal struggles, including depression and alcoholism. Despite this, he continued to work, producing his last symphony in 1986. Arnold passed away on 23 September 2006, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of music, with festivals and schools dedicated to his memory continuing to celebrate his contributions.

Mikalojus_Konstantinas_Čiurlionis_photo_portrait

22 September

September 22nd

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Lithuania Čiurlionis, Piano Sonata in F Major, September

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis [O.S. 10 September] 1875 – 10 April [O.S. 28 March] 1911

Piano Sonata in F Major

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis
By S.Fleury – http://ciurlionis.eu/en/mkc-foto-3/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18533041

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis was a remarkable Lithuanian artist born on 22 September 1875. He was not only a composer but also a talented painter and writer. Čiurlionis made significant contributions to the art movements of symbolism and Art Nouveau, becoming one of the pioneers of abstract art in Europe. Throughout his short life, he created around 400 musical pieces and nearly 300 paintings. His artwork is mainly displayed in the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum in Kaunas, Lithuania, and he is celebrated for his lasting influence on Lithuanian culture.

Born in Senoji Varėna, he showed musical talent at a young age, impressing many with his ability to play the organ by ear when he was only five. After moving to Druskininkai, his father, an organist, helped nurture his skills. Čiurlionis studied music in Warsaw and later in Leipzig, where he expanded his knowledge and creativity. He is particularly known for his symphonic poems, such as “In the Forest” and “The Sea.” His folk songs brought Lithuanian traditions to life.