20th Century

28 March

March 28th: Tōru Takemitsu (武満徹)

Thomas Pitts Asia, Composer Of The Day, Japan 20th Century, In the Month of March, March, November Steps, Tōru Takemitsu, 武満徹

Tōru Takemitsu (武満徹) 8 October 1930 – 20 February 1996

In the Month of March

November Steps

Tōru Takemitsu
By Guy Vivien – This image has been downloaded from http://www.durand-salabert-eschig.com/english/photos_composer_zoom.php?name=takemitsu&img=142., Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10697367

Tōru Takemitsu was a Japanese composer celebrated for his unique ability to blend Eastern and Western musical traditions. Takemitsu was largely self-taught and began composing music at the age of 16. His works include over 90 film scores and hundreds of compositions, showcasing his mastery of timbre, which refers to the quality of sound. He was a founding member of the Jikken Kōbō, an avant-garde group that explored new artistic ideas. One of his most famous pieces, “Requiem,” gained international acclaim and established his reputation as a leading composer. Takemitsu’s music often reflects his experiences, including his feelings about traditional Japanese music, which he initially distanced himself from due to its associations with war. However, he later embraced these traditions, incorporating instruments like the shakuhachi and biwa into his compositions. His innovative use of silence and sound has influenced many musicians and continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Takemitsu’s legacy is significant in both Japanese and global music history.

27 March

March 27th: Vincent d’Indy

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France 19th Century, 20th Century, March, Neo-Classicism, Symphony on a French Mountain Air, Vincent d'Indy

Vincent d'Indy 27 March 1851 – 2 December 1931

Symphony on a French Mountain Air Op.25

Vincent d’Indy
By unidentified photograph – archives de –FinitoR Originally uploaded in ruwiki by ru:Участник:Финитор as ru:Postcard-1910 d-Indi.jpg., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7038338

Paul Marie Théodore Vincent d’Indy was a significant French composer and teacher, born in Paris. He co-founded the Schola Cantorum de Paris, where he taught many notable students, including Erik Satie and Cole Porter. D’Indy studied under César Franck, who greatly influenced his music style. During the Franco-Prussian War, he served in the National Guard but returned to music after the conflict. His early works, like the Symphonie italienne, gained admiration from famous composers such as Georges Bizet. D’Indy’s compositions often reflect his love for German music, despite the nationalist sentiments of his time. He created many notable pieces, including the Symphony on a French Mountain Air. D’Indy’s teaching methods focused on solid technical skills rather than originality, which shaped the future of French music. He played a crucial role in the Société nationale de musique, promoting a broader acceptance of non-French music. D’Indy passed away on 2 December 1931, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of classical music. His contributions continue to inspire musicians today.

25 March

March 25th: Béla Bartók

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Hungary 20th Century, Béla Bartók, Erdélyi táncok, March, Modernism, Transylvanian Dances

Béla Bartók 25 March 1881 – 26 September 1945

Transylvanian Dances Erdélyi Táncok ; Tänze aus Siebenbürgen

Béla Bartók
By Unknown author – http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/bartok_9.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=153286378

Béla Bartók was a Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist, widely regarded as a defining musical figure of the 20th century. Alongside Franz Liszt, he is often cited as one of Hungary’s greatest composers. Bartók is notable for two linked aspects of his career: his major modernist concert works, which are original in harmony, rhythm, and form, and his pioneering fieldwork collecting and analysing folk music. Some of his most performed works include Bluebeard’s Castle (opera), The Miraculous Mandarin (ballet), and Concerto for Orchestra (1943). Born in Nagyszentmiklós, he showed remarkable musical ability as a child and studied in Budapest. A turning point came when he began systematically collecting peasant songs, travelling widely with Zoltán Kodály to record Hungarian and neighbouring traditions. Bartók’s mature style synthesised folk idioms and modernism, absorbing scales and rhythms into an original style. He emigrated to the United States in 1940, producing masterpieces despite health issues, and was later reburied in Budapest after his death in 1945.

23 March

March 23rd: Michael Nyman

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe 20th Century, 21st Century, Drowning By Number 2, March, Michael Nyman, Minimalism

Michael Nyman 23 March 1944

Drowning By Number 2

Michael Nyman
By Anton V. Shpigunov – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42490383

Michael Laurence Nyman, CBE, was born in Stratford, London. He is an influential English composer, pianist, and filmmaker, renowned for his film scores and operas. Nyman gained fame for his collaboration with filmmaker Peter Greenaway and his soundtrack for Jane Campion’s film, The Piano. He has composed numerous operas, including The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Noises, Sounds & Sweet Airs. Nyman’s musical journey began at King’s College London and the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied piano and baroque music. He is credited with popularising minimalism in music through his writings and compositions. Nyman founded the Michael Nyman Band, which performs many of his works. His music often draws from early music traditions, enhancing the emotional depth of films. Nyman’s contributions to contemporary music have earned him various accolades, including a CBE honour. His unique style blends classical elements with modern influences, making his work significant in both music and film.

20 March

March 20th: Sergei Rachmaninoff

Thomas Pitts Asia, Composer Of The Day, Europe, Russia 19th Century, 20th Century, March, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Romantic, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Symphony No. 2 in E minor

Sergei Rachmaninoff 1 April [O.S.* 20 March] 1873 – 28 March 1943

Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor Op. 18 – 2. Adagio Sostenuto

Symphony No. 2 in E minor Op. 27 – 3. Adagio

Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor Op. 30

Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini Op. 43

Sergei Rachmaninoff
By Kubey-Rembrandt Studios (Philadephia, Pennsylvania) – This image is available from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs divisionunder the digital ID cph.3a40575.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37407922

Sergei Rachmaninoff was a renowned Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor, celebrated as one of the last great Romantic composers. Born into an aristocratic family, he displayed remarkable musical talent from a young age, starting piano lessons at four. He trained at the Moscow Conservatory, graduating with highest honours after composing his opera Aleko at nineteen. Rachmaninoff faced a significant setback when his Symphony No. 1 premiered disastrously in 1897, leading to years of depression and writer’s block. With therapy, he recovered and created his beloved Piano Concerto No. 2. He composed three more piano concertos, the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, three symphonies, and choral works like the All-Night Vigil. His music is known for sweeping melodies, rich harmonies, and emotional depth. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, he moved to the United States, focusing on his concert career while composing Symphony No. 3 and Symphonic Dances. Rachmaninoff passed away in California in 1943, remembered as a brilliant pianist and composer whose music embodies deep emotion and technical brilliance.

*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.

19 March

March 19th: Elizabeth Maconchy

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe, Ireland 20th Century, Elizabeth Maconchy, Female Composers, March, String Quartet No. 3

Elizabeth Maconchy – Facts for Kids (KS2, KS3 & KS4)

Elizabeth Maconchy was a British composer known for her powerful string quartets. This page is part of our Composer of the Day series, designed for classroom music listening and learning.

Listen to her music and explore more below.

Elizabeth Maconchy 19 March 1907 – 11 November 1994

String Quartet No. 3 Op. 15

Elizabeth Maconchy
By This work created by the United Kingdom Government is in the public domain.This is because it is one of the following:It is a photograph taken prior to 1 June 1957; orIt was published prior to 1975; orIt is an artistic work other than a photograph or engraving (e.g. a painting) which was created prior to 1975.HMSO has declared that the expiry of Crown Copyrights applies worldwide (ref: HMSO Email Reply)More information.See also Copyright and Crown copyright artistic works. – https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw47668/Dame-Elizabeth-Maconchy-Dame-Elizabeth-LeFanu, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116176447

Dame Elizabeth Violet Maconchy LeFanu DBE was an English-Irish composer. She is regarded as one of the finest composers from Great Britain and Ireland. Born in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, to Irish parents, Maconchy grew up in both England and Ireland. Her family moved to Ireland in 1917, where she began her musical studies. At sixteen, she enrolled at the Royal College of Music in London, studying under notable composers. Maconchy faced challenges as a female composer in a male-dominated field. She produced over 200 works, including string quartets and operas, showcasing her unique style influenced by Béla Bartók. Her string quartets are particularly celebrated, as they reflect a dialogue between individual voices. Maconchy was also an advocate for women in music, helping to organise concerts for new composers. Throughout her life, she received numerous awards, including being made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Maconchy’s legacy continues to inspire musicians today, highlighting the importance of creativity and perseverance in the arts.

Listening Activity

Listen to String Quartet No. 3.

Think about:

What mood does the music create?
How do the instruments interact?
Does the music feel calm or tense?

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15 March

March 15th: Lili Boulanger

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France 19th Century, 20th Century, Faust et Hélène, Female Composers, Lili Boulanger, March, Vieille prière bouddhique

Lili Boulanger 21 August 1893 – 15 March 1918

Vieille prière bouddhique

Faust et Hélène

Lili Boulanger
By Henri Manuel – [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114463198

Lili Boulanger was a French composer and musician, the first woman to win the Prix de Rome for composition in 1913 with her cantata Faust et Hélène. She was the younger sister of Nadia Boulanger, a celebrated composer and teacher, and the daughter of composer Ernest Boulanger. Lili showed remarkable musical talent from an early age, absorbing Conservatoire-level learning while accompanying Nadia to lessons. Unfortunately, chronic illness disrupted her education and shortened her life. She studied at the Paris Conservatoire, supported by Nadia. In 1912, Lili attempted the Prix de Rome but collapsed during performances. In 1913, at nineteen, she won first prize, a landmark achievement for women in music. During World War I, she and Nadia organised support for soldiers and Conservatoire networks. Lili’s musical style features lush harmony and sensitive orchestration, blending influences from composers like Fauré and Debussy. Key works include Faust et Hélène, Psaume 130, and Pie Jesu. Her legacy continues through the Lili Boulanger Memorial Fund, promoting women composers and recognising her contributions to music history.

13 March

March 13th: Amy Woodforde-Finden

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe 19th Century, 20th Century, Amy Woodforde-Finden, Female Composers, Kashmiri Song, March, Romantic

Amy Woodforde-Finden 1860 – 13 March 1919

Kashmiri Song

Amy Woodforde-Finden
By Katchuri – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86088907

Amy Woodforde-Finden was a composer who is best known for writing the music to “Kashmiri Song” from Four Indian Love Lyrics by Laurence Hope. Amy Woodforde-Finden, born Amelia Rowe Ward in 1860 in Valparaíso, Chile, was the youngest daughter of American parents. After her father’s death, her mother moved the family to London, where Amy developed a talent for music. She studied under notable teachers and began composing. At 34, she married Brigade-Surgeon Woodforde-Finden and lived in India, where she created her famous works, including “Kashmiri Song” in 1902. Her music combined British sensibilities with Asian influences, reflecting the romanticism of her time. In 1916, she faced personal tragedy with her husband’s death, yet her music continued to be celebrated, even appearing in films. Woodforde-Finden’s compositions, while once popular, have been critiqued for their exoticism. Despite this, her melodies and themes of love and longing resonate with audiences. She passed away in 1919, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire musicians today, including the establishment of a music festival in her honour in 2022.

11 March

March 11th: Hasan Ferit Alnar

Thomas Pitts Asia, Composer Of The Day, Europe, Turkey, Turkey 20th Century, Cello Concerto, Hasan Ferit Alnar, March, Turkish Five

Hasan Ferit Alnar 11 March 1906 – 30 July 1978

Cello Concerto

Hasan Ferit Alnar
By Uknown – Original publication: UknownImmediate source: http://www.turkishmusicportal.org/en/composers/detail/hasan-ferit-alnar, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60710071

Hasan Ferid Alnar was a Turkish classical music composer. He was a member of the Turkish Five, a group of influential composers in the early 20th century. Alnar is celebrated for blending classical Turkish music with Western techniques. His notable works include the Concerto for Kanun and String Orchestra and the Cello Concerto. From 1946 to 1952, he conducted the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, and from 1955 to 1960, he served as the General Music Director of the Ankara Opera House.

After retiring in 1961, Alnar moved to Vienna, where he organised concerts across Central Europe. In 1964, he returned to Ankara and taught harmony, form knowledge, and orchestration at the Ankara State Conservatory until his passing in 1978. Alnar was born in Sarachane, Istanbul. His father was the General Manager of PTT, and his mother was Saime Hanım. He was the eldest child in his family, with a younger brother named Orhan Alnar, who was six years younger.

10 March

March 10th: Arthur Honegger

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Switzerland 20th Century, Arthur Honegger, March, Neo-Classicism, Pacific 231

Arthur Honegger 10 March 1892 – 27 November 1955

Pacific 231 H 53: Symphonic Movement No. 1

Arthur Honegger
By Agence de presse Meurisse – This file comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID btv1b9041196z, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30903419

Arthur Honegger was a Swiss composer born in Le Havre, France, who spent much of his life in Paris. He is often associated with Les Six, a group of composers, but his music is distinct. Honegger’s style is serious and large-scale, featuring strong structures and deep emotional expression. He is known for blending Bach-like counterpoint with driving rhythms and powerful orchestration. His harmony is rich and sometimes impressionistic, and he explored tonality, atonality, and polytonality, prioritising communication over trends. Some of his most famous works include Pacific 231, inspired by a steam locomotive, and Le Roi David, which established his international reputation. His dramatic oratorio, Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher, is highly regarded. Symphony No. 2 reflects the wartime atmosphere, while Symphonie liturgique, written after World War II, is a significant post-war statement. Honegger studied in Zurich and at the Paris Conservatoire. Despite health issues later in life, he continued to compose until the early 1950s, leaving a lasting impact on 20th-century music.