August

15 August

This Week on Music of the Day: 16–22 August

Thomas Pitts Weekly Digest 2026, August, Reading Comprehensions, Teaching Resources, Weekly Digest 0

From jazz piano and contemporary songwriting to one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, there’s an enormous range of music to explore this week.

We begin on Sunday with Bill Evans, whose lyrical playing and sophisticated harmonies made him one of the most influential jazz pianists of his generation.

Monday introduces Henri Tomasi, the French composer and conductor whose music combines vivid orchestral colour with influences from the Mediterranean.

On Tuesday, it’s Antonio Salieri. His name has become inseparable from Mozart thanks largely to fiction, but the real Salieri was a successful and respected composer and teacher in his own right.

The week then moves firmly into contemporary music. Christina Perri features on Wednesday, followed by British jazz singer and pianist Jamie Cullum on Thursday.

Friday belongs to Lili Boulanger, a remarkable talent who became the first woman to win the Prix de Rome for composition in 1913.

And we finish on Saturday with Claude Debussy, born on 22 August 1862. His approach to harmony, orchestral colour and musical atmosphere helped reshape the possibilities of Western music.

This week’s composers

16 August – Bill Evans
17 August – Henri Tomasi
18 August – Antonio Salieri
19 August – Christina Perri
20 August – Jamie Cullum
21 August – Lili Boulanger
22 August – Claude Debussy

Discover a different composer every day at MusicOfTheDay.co.uk.

For teachers

The Composer of the Day: August Reading & Listening Activities resource is now available, with ready-to-use activities covering all 31 of this month’s featured composers.

Whether you’re looking for music appreciation, reading comprehension, listening activities or simply an easy way to introduce more music into the classroom, there’s a new composer waiting every day.

Seven composers. Seven very different musical worlds. Which will be your favourite this week?

8 August

This Week on Music of the Day (9–15 August)

Thomas Pitts Weekly Digest 2026, August, Reading Comprehensions, Teaching Resources, Weekly Digest 0

This week brings together an extraordinary mix of film music, experimental composition, orchestral favourites and lesser-known musical pioneers.

From the unforgettable film scores of James Horner to the revolutionary ideas of John Cage, each day offers something different to discover. You’ll also meet Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, whose richly melodic music is finally receiving the recognition it deserves, alongside composers including Albert Ketèlbey, Conlon Nancarrow, Yūji Koseki and Jules Massenet.

This week’s featured composers

9 August – Albert Ketèlbey
10 August – Conlon Nancarrow
11 August – Yūji Koseki
12 August – John Cage
13 August – Jules Massenet
14 August – James Horner
15 August – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Every day includes:

A concise biography
A carefully chosen listening recommendation
Interesting facts
Links to explore more music

New for August

The August Reading Comprehension Pack (Ages 8+) is now available in the shop, Teachers Pay Teachers and TES.

As announced previously, the introductory pricing has now ended, reflecting the growing collection of resources and the work going into the upcoming Music Mastery Membership.

Thank you for continuing to support Music of the Day.

1 August

This Week on Music of the Day (2–8 August)

Thomas Pitts Weekly Digest August, July, Reading Comprehensions, Teaching Resources, Weekly Digest

From passionate Italian opera to elegant French salon music, this week’s collection celebrates composers whose music has shaped opera, television, sacred music and the concert hall.

You’ll meet famous names such as Pietro Mascagni, whose Cavalleria rusticana transformed Italian opera, alongside celebrated composer Carl Davis, whose unforgettable scores brought silent films to life for modern audiences.

We’re also shining a light on remarkable composers who deserve to be heard more often, including Barbara Strozzi and Cécile Chaminade, two women who forged successful musical careers centuries apart despite the barriers they faced.

This week’s featured composers

2nd August – Pietro Mascagni
3rd August – Carl Davis
4th August – John Newton
5th August – Thomas Linley the Younger
6th August – Barbara Strozzi
7th August – Christian Heinrich Rinck
8th August – Cécile Chaminade

Every page includes:

a concise biography
one carefully selected piece to listen to
fascinating facts
links to explore more music.

If you’re a primary teacher, my July Reading Comprehension Pack is still available for a short time before prices increase ahead of the launch of the new Music Mastery Membership, bringing together listening activities, classroom resources and much more. August’s resource will be added early next week, and will be added to the bundle too.

As always, thank you for supporting Music of the Day. Every visit and share helps more people discover great music.

31 August

August 31st

Thomas Pitts Austria, Composer Of The Day, Europe August, Four Songs for Soprano and Orchestra, Mahler

Alma Mahler 31 August 1879 – 11 December 1964

Four Songs for Soprano and Orchestra

Alma Mahler
By Atelier D’Ora-Benda[1] – Flashbak, PD-US, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65076748

Alma Mahler-Werfel was born on 31 August 1879 in Vienna, Austria. She was a remarkable composer, author, and socialite, known for her music as well as her influential relationships with famous artists. From a young age, Alma was passionate about music and began composing songs for voice and piano. Though many of her works have been lost, 17 songs are still known today.

Alma married renowned composer Gustav Mahler in 1902. Their marriage was marked by complexity, as Mahler did not encourage Alma to continue her composing career. Following his death in 1911, she had a passionate affair with the artist Oskar Kokoschka before marrying architect Walter Gropius in 1915. During her life, Alma continued to inspire and support many artists, hosting gatherings that became famous cultural events.

When Nazi Germany annexed Austria in 1938, she and her Jewish husband, Franz Werfel, fled to France and later settled in Los Angeles.

Kate Loder (18251904), Lady Thompson, by Lawrence Alma-Tadema

30 August

August 30th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe August, Loder, Voyage Joyeux

Kate Loder 21 August 1825 – 30 August 1904

Voyage Joyeux

Kate Loder
By Lawrence Alma-Tadema – Art UK, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31945849

Kate Fanny Loder, later known as Lady Thompson, was born on 21 August 1825 in Bath, Somerset. She came from a musical family; her father, George Loder, was a flautist, and her mother was likely a piano teacher. Kate showed great talent from a young age and studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. At just 17, she made her public debut performing Mendelssohn’s G minor piano concerto. In 1844, she made history as the first female professor of harmony at the Royal Academy.

On 16 December 1851, Kate married Henry Thompson, a prominent surgeon, and eventually stepped back from public performances. Despite this, she continued to compose music and taught many students, including the notable artist Sarah Louisa Kilpack. They had three children: Kate, Henry, and Helen.

In her later years, Kate experienced health issues but remained passionate about music. She passed away on 30 August 1904. In 1871, she hosted the first British performance of Brahms’ German Requiem at her home, showcasing her lasting influence on music.

29 August

August 29th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America August, Confirmation, Parker

Charlie Parker 29 August 1920 – 12 March 1955

Confirmation

Charlie Parker
By William P. Gottlieb – https://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/4843755786/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20705291

Charles Parker Jr., known as “Bird”, was an American jazz musician born on August 29, 1920. He played the alto saxophone and became one of the most important figures in jazz history. Parker was a key developer of bebop, a style of jazz that is fast-paced and highly intricate. His innovative approach introduced new rhythms, fast chord changes, and unique harmony in his music.

Parker was raised in Kansas City, where he began playing the saxophone at the age of 11. His love for music grew as he joined local jazz bands and participated in jam sessions. He faced many challenges, including his father’s struggles with alcoholism and his own addiction to drugs later in life. Despite these challenges, Parker’s talent shone through and he made significant contributions to music.

His compositions, such as “Yardbird Suite” and “Ornithology”, are still celebrated today. Parker’s music transformed jazz into an expressive art form and he inspired many musicians.

28 August

August 28th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Russia August, Lyadov, The Enchanted Lake

Anatoly Lyadov 12 May [O.S. 30 April] 1855 – 28 August [O.S. 15 August] 1914

The Enchanted Lake

Anatoly Lyadov
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1087974

Anatoly Konstantinovich Lyadov was a Russian composer and conductor, born on 12 May 1855 in St. Petersburg. He grew up in a musical family, learning from his step-father, a conductor. Lyadov enrolled at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, initially studying piano and violin, but later focused on composition. He became known for his remarkable talent and joined a group of composers called The Five. Lyadov taught many future musicians at the conservatory, including Sergei Prokofiev, and was known for his precise teaching style.

Despite his talent, Lyadov published few compositions, partly due to his self-doubt. Among his works, the most famous is the tone poem “The Enchanted Lake.” Lyadov’s music often embraced Russian themes and showcased his love for orchestral colour. Although he struggled with large-scale projects, his contributions to music are still appreciated today. He passed away in 1914, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire musicians around the world.

27 August

August 27th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe August, Clarke, Viola Sonata

Rebecca Clarke 27 August 1886 – 13 October 1979

Viola Sonata

Rebecca Clarke
By Hopkins Studio, Denver, Colorado, United States – Smaller version: http://saintpaulsunday.publicradio.org/featured_artists/rebeccaclarke.html; Larger version: http://www.fingerlakeschamberensemble.org/1.11.09.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4525642

Rebecca Helferich Clarke was a notable British composer and violist born on 27 August 1886 in Harrow, England. She grew up in a musical family, with her father being American and her mother German. Clarke showed talent from a young age, beginning her music studies at the Royal Academy of Music and later at the Royal College of Music. As one of the first female professional orchestral players in London, she broke barriers in a male-dominated field.

During her career, Clarke wrote many beautiful pieces for viola, which showcased her exceptional skills as a performer. Her renowned works include the Viola Sonata and Morpheus, composed under the pseudonym ‘Anthony Trent.’ After World War II, she moved to the United States and married composer James Friskin. Although she composed fewer pieces later in life, her legacy continued to grow. In 2000, the Rebecca Clarke Society was established to honour her music and ensure it is played for generations to come. Clarke died on 13 October 1979.

26 August

August 26th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe August, Five Variants of Dives & Lazarus, The Lark Ascending, Vaughan Williams

Ralph Vaughan Williams 12 October 1872 – 26 August 1958

Five Variants of Dives & Lazarus

The Lark Ascending

Ralph Vaughan Williams
By E. O. Hoppé – The Bookman 61 (361), p. 48, PD-US, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64804985

Ralph Vaughan Williams was an influential English composer born on 12 October 1872. His expansive body of work includes nine symphonies, operas, and choral music, reflecting his deep connection to English folk song and Tudor music. Vaughan Williams’s approach marked a significant shift in British music away from the German styles that dominated the 19th century. Despite coming from a well-off family, he believed that music should be accessible to everyone. He wrote many pieces for amateur performers and students, aiming to share his passion for music with all.

He started composing music in earnest in his thirties, a turning point aided by his studies with the French composer Maurice Ravel, which helped him clarify his musical style. Two of his most famous pieces are “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis” and “The Lark Ascending.” Vaughan Williams’s compositions display a wide range of emotions and are celebrated for their ability to connect deeply with the listener.

25 August

August 25th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Czech Republic, Europe August, Řídký, Slavnostní Pochod

Jaroslav Řídký 25 August 1897 – 14 August 1956

Slavnostní Pochod Ceremonial March

Jaroslav Řídký
By neznámí – http://www.digitalniknihovna.cz/mzk/view/uuid:939e20b0-042e-11e7-bff9-005056825209?page=uuid:4e313d50-24e5-11e7-a890-005056822549&fulltext=Jaroslav%20%C5%98%C3%ADdk%C3%BD, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86422307

Jaroslav Řídký, a notable Czech composer, conductor, harpist, and music teacher, was born on 25 August 1897 in Reichenberg, now known as Liberec. He studied at the Prague Conservatory from 1919 to 1923 under prominent teachers such as Josef Bohuslav Foerster. After his studies, Řídký dedicated himself to teaching at the Conservatory from 1924 until 1949, while also playing the harp for the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra for several years. In addition to his work as a musician, he conducted the Philharmonic choir during the late 1920s.

Řídký composed a wide variety of works, including seven symphonies, concertos, and chamber music. His compositions reflect a traditional style influenced by romanticism and later neo-classical elements. In 1954, he was awarded the National Prize for his Piano Concerto Op. 46, demonstrating his significant contribution to Czech music. Řídký passed away on 14 August 1956 in Poděbrady, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of classical music.