20th Century

4 April

April 4th: Braulio Dueño Colón

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, Puerto Rico 19th Century, 20th Century, April, Braulio Dueño Colón, Romantic, Teresa

Braulio Dueño Colón 26 March, 1854 – 4 April 1934

Teresa

Braulio Dueño Colón
Public Domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2472229

Braulio Dueño Colón was a Puerto Rican composer, poet, and educator, born on March 26, 1854, in San Juan. He made significant contributions to the island’s musical and literary traditions. From a young age, Dueño Colón displayed a talent for music and literature, quickly becoming a notable figure in Puerto Rico’s cultural activities. He is primarily remembered for his danzas, a popular musical genre that merges European and Afro-Caribbean influences. His pieces, like La Alondra and Sara, feature beautiful melodies and intricate rhythms characteristic of this genre.

In addition to music, Dueño Colón was also a poet and playwright. He used his writings to celebrate Puerto Rican identity and support social causes. Collaborating with poet Luis Lloréns Torres, he created patriotic songs that resonated with the island’s sense of national pride. Furthermore, he dedicated much of his career to education, shaping how music is taught in Puerto Rico. His impact is still felt today, with his danzas loved and performed by many.

1 April

April 1st: Caravelli

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France 20th Century, 21st Century, April, Caravelli, Let Me Try Again

Caravelli 12 September 1930 – 1 April 2019

Let Me Try Again

Caravelli
From https://instrumentalsforever.eu/artists/caravelli-1930-2019/

Caravelli, born Claude Vasori in Paris in 1930, was a renowned French composer and orchestra leader who transformed popular music with his lush orchestral interpretations. He studied at the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris, which laid the foundation for his musical career. Initially, Caravelli worked as an accompanist and arranger for many French singers. Soon, he formed his own orchestra and gained international fame.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Caravelli became one of the most celebrated easy-listening orchestra leaders, alongside Paul Mauriat and Franck Pourcel. His unique style combined classical techniques with modern melodies, resulting in beautiful arrangements of film themes and popular songs. Albums like Caravelli Plays the Beatles showcased his talent for reimagining famous music elegantly.

Throughout his career, Caravelli composed original music for films and television, leaving a lasting impact on the easy-listening genre. His work continues to be appreciated for its rich quality and artistic depth, inspiring future generations of musicians.

30 March

March 30th: Els Aarne

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Estonia, Europe 20th Century, Ballad for piano and orchestra, Els Aarne, Female Composers, March

Els Aarne 30 March 1917 – 14 June 1995

Ballad for piano and orchestra

Els Aarne
Via http://entsyklopeedia.ee/meedia/aarne_els1/aarne_els

Elze Janovna Paemurru, known pseudonymously as Els Aarne, was an Estonian composer, pianist, and pedagogue, primarily during the Soviet Era. Elze Janovna Paemurru was born on 30 March 1917 in Makiivka, Russian Empire, now known as Ukraine. Her father was the scientist Jaan Aarmann. She studied at the Tallinn Conservatory, graduating as a music teacher in 1939. Later, she trained as a pianist and composer, learning from notable instructors. Aarne taught music theory at the Tallinn Conservatory for thirty years. She married horn player Mart Paemurru, and they had two sons. Aarne passed away on 14 June 1995 in Tallinn. She is celebrated for her chamber music, often composing for violoncello and double-bass, and she wrote two symphonies. Aarne’s contributions to music highlight the role of women in the arts, particularly during the Soviet era. Her work reflects the cultural significance of Estonian music and showcases her dedication to education and composition, influencing future generations of musicians.

29 March

March 29th: Vangelis

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Greece 20th Century, 21st Century, Chariots Of Fire: Main Theme, Conquest Of Paradise, Film Scores, March, Vangelis

Vangelis 29 March 1943 – 17 May 2022

Conquest Of Paradise

Chariots Of Fire: Main Theme

Vangelis
By NikolasforWiki – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6042320

Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou, known as Vangelis, was a prominent Greek musician and composer. He is famous for his electronic and orchestral music, creating iconic scores for films like Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner. Vangelis began his musical journey in the 1960s, forming rock bands such as the Forminx and Aphrodite’s Child. His work is significant in the history of film music, blending various genres including progressive rock and ambient music. Vangelis’s score for Chariots of Fire won an Academy Award and became a cultural phenomenon, showcasing his unique style. He also collaborated with NASA on projects like Mythodea and Rosetta, demonstrating his passion for science and music. Throughout his career, Vangelis produced over 50 albums, using synthesizers and innovative techniques to create soundscapes that evoke emotion. His music often reflects his Greek heritage and influences from jazz and traditional music. Vangelis left a lasting legacy in the world of music and film.

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.

Otkrytoe Pismo Vincent d'Indi Postcard-1910

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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