TDCM: January 31st - Havergal Brian

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Havergal Brian (1876-1972)

Bio

Born in Staffordshire, Brian was a tradesman who was self-taught in composition and played the Organ. He was friends with Elgar and Bantock and moved to London in an attempt to support himself with music. He was very unsuccessful and ended up primarily serving as a critic for Musical Opinion, serving as the editor for the magazine until 1939.

Music

Symphony No. 1 in D Minor "Gothic"

Symphony No. 4 in C Major "Das Siegeslied"

Symphony No. 32 in A-flat Major

English Suite No. 1

Symphonic Movements from The Tigers

TDCM: January 27th & 28th - Johannes Brahms

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Bio

My favorite composer, if such a thing is possible. Brahms was raised by musicians before being connected with the Schumanns, who immensely impacted his life. He spent most of his life in Vienna but was world-renowned for his critical authorship and composition prowess. The last classical composer? In my opinion, Brahms put the finishing touches on an entire musical genre, the pinnacle so to speak.

Music

Symphony No. 1 in C Minor

Symphony No. 2 in D Major

Symphony No. 3 in F Major

Symphony No. 4 in E Minor

Brahms is the rare exception, we'll be revisiting him tomorrow.

Violin Concerto in D Major

Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor

Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat Major

Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor

Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp Minor

TDCM: January 26th - William Boyce

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

William Boyce (1710-1779)

Bio

Despite developing hearing problems at a young age, Boyce stood out in the 18th-century English music scene. He was the composer of the Chapel Royal, Director of the Three Choirs Festival, and Master of the King's Musik. He received a Doctor of Music from Cambridge and earned self-publishing rights in one of the earliest examples of musical copyright.

Music

The Complete Symphonies (1 through 8)

Six Overtures

2 Concerti Grossi

TDCM: January 25th - Pierre Boulez

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Pierre Boulez (1925-2016)

Bio

Boulez was born in Montbrison, France and studied with Messiaen at the Conservatoire de Paris. He led the charge into the avant-garde movement and the development of integral serialism, controlled chance, and electronic transformation. He founded a number of institutions and held posts with the New York Philharmonic, the BBC, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra. He may have made more of an impact directing the works of 20th-century greats than in composition, though his legacy in both is significant. 

Music

Le Marteau Sans Maître

Piano Sonata No. 2

sur Incises

Répons

TDCM: January 24th - Alexander Borodin

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Alexander Borodin (1833-1887)

Bio

Borodin was born in St Petersburg, Russia, and studied medicine becoming an accomplished chemist. He met Balakirev as a young man and began studying music as well. He connected with Russian greats such as Nápravnik, Rimsky-Korsakov, Glazunov, and Mussorgsky. He is considered a member of "The Five" and worked with them to bring uniquely Russian romanticism to prominence. 

Music

Symphony No. 1 in E flat major

Symphony No. 2 The Bogatyrs

Symphony No. 3

String Quartet No. 2

String Quartet No. 1

Piano Quintet

In the Steppes of Central Asia, Polovtsian Dances

Petite Suite

TDCM: January 7th - Arrigo Boito

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Arrigo Boito (1842-1918)

Bio

Boiti studied at the Milan Conservatory before becoming a music critic and journalist. He composed two Operas, the first at the age of 26, and the second was published incomplete posthumously. His musical career otherwise was primarily as a librettist for other Opera composers such as Verdi and Ponchielli. He was a politician later in life and was also given an honorary Doctor of Music by Cambridge University. He is one of the chief representatives of the Scapigliatura movement.

Music

Mefistofele

Nerone

TDCM: January 6th - François-Adrien Boieldieu

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

François-Adrien Boieldieu (1775-1834)

Bio

Boieldieu wrote Operas with his Father before traveling to Paris after his 20th birthday. Studied with Cherubini and taught Piano at the Paris Conservatory before taking a post as the conductor for the Imperial Opera at St Petersburg. Returned to Paris as a professor of Composition at the Conservatory. Received the Légion d'honneur and was famously a member of the freemasons. 

Music

Harp Concerto

Le Calife de Bagdad

Piano Concerto No. 1

Concerto in C major for Harp and Orchestra

Missa Solemnis

TDCM: January 5th - Léon Boëllmann

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Léon Boëllmann (1862-1897)

Bio

Organist at St. Vincent-de-Paul in Paris, he studied at the École de Musique Classique et Religieuse and was an award-winning composer in counterpoint composition. Died young at only 35, but managed to make several key contributions to the organ repertoire in particular in his short life.

Music

 Suite Gothique

Symphony in F-major

Cello Sonata

Heures Mystiques

Cello Suite

12 Pieces

Fantasy Dialogue for Organ and Orchestra

Organ Music

TDCM: January 4th - Luigi Boccherini

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805)

Bio

A cellist, who traveled with his Father around Europe on concert tours until landing in Madrid. Served the Cardinal-Infante there until he and the King had a disagreement leading to his dismissal. He had many prominent patrons including Lucien Bonaparte, Friedrich Wilhelm II, and the court at Vienna. He was initially buried in the Basilica of St. Michael but his remains now lay in his hometown of Lucca, Italy.

Music

La Musica Notturna delle Strade di Madrid

String Quartets, Op. 26

3 Quintets for Guitar and String Quartet

Complete Cello Concertos

TDCM: January 3rd - John Blow

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

John Blow (1649-1708)

Bio

A Chorister in the Chapel Royal until his 15th year, Blow then became the organist at Westminster Abbey for six years before being installed as the Master of Children of the Chapel Royal. He received a Doctor of Music from the Dean of Canterbury and was the organist and composer at the Chapel Royal until his death. 

Music

Venus and Adonis

Tell Me No More

An Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell (one of his students)

I Was Glad

Chaconne

Cry Aloud

God is our hope and strength

My days are gone like a shadow