September 13th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Germany Piano Concerto in A minor, Schumann, September

Clara Schumann 13 September 1819 – 20 May 1896

Piano Concerto in A minor Op.7

Clara Schumann
By Johann Anton Völlner, Hamburg – https://www.schumann-zwickau.de/de/03/03/portraits-robert-schumann.php, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/19/books/review/robert-schumann-judith-chernaik-biography.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=164172548

Clara Josephine Schumann was a remarkable German pianist and composer, born on 13 September 1819 in Leipzig. She began her piano lessons at the age of four, trained by her father, who was also a pianist. Clara was a child prodigy, giving her first public performance at just nine years old. At eighteen, she married fellow composer Robert Schumann, and together they had eight children. Clara not only performed her husband’s music but also supported him throughout his career and after his tragic death in 1856.

Throughout her 61-year career, Clara toured Europe, gaining fame for her expressive playing style that focused more on emotion than technical showmanship. She was a pioneer in changing concert programmes, introducing a blend of solo pieces and chamber music. In 1878, she became a piano teacher at Dr. Hoch’s Konservatorium in Frankfurt, where she influenced many young musicians. Clara Schumann passed away on 20 May 1896. Her compositions and performances are celebrated worldwide.

4 September

September 4th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Norway Grieg, Peer Gynt Suite, Piano Concerto in A minor, September

Edvard Grieg 15 June 1843 – 4 September 1907

Peer Gynt Suite

Piano Concerto in A minor Op 16

Edvard Grieg
By Bergen Public Library Norway from Bergen, Norway – [Edvard Grieg portrait], No restrictions, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=125250559

Edvard Hagerup Grieg was born on 15 June 1843 in Bergen, Norway. He became one of the most famous composers of the Romantic era, known for integrating Norwegian folk music into his pieces. Grieg’s music not only celebrated Norway’s cultural identity but also gained international acclaim. He is best remembered for his Piano Concerto in A minor and the incidental music for Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt, which features well-loved movements like “Morning Mood” and “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”

Grieg’s musical journey began early; taught by his mother, he displayed talent from a young age. He studied at the Leipzig Conservatory, where he struggled with the rigid curriculum but flourished as a performer. Throughout his life, he faced health challenges, yet he remained dedicated to his craft. Grieg’s contributions to music earned him numerous accolades, including honorary doctorates from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford. Grieg’s work remains a vital part of classical music, celebrating the beauty of Norwegian culture.