TDCM: August 11th - Virgil Thomson

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Virgil Thomson (1896-1989)

Bio

Virgil Thomson was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended Harvard with support from the LDS. Further studies in Paris and with Nadia Boulanger. He remained in Paris as a central figure among young artists. He is considered one of the progenitors of the "American" classical sound.

Music

Symphony on a Hymn Tune

Symphony No. 3

The River

Concerto for Cello and Orchestra

Acadian Songs and Dances

Three Pictures for Orchestra

TDCM: August 9th - Randall Thompson

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Randall Thompson (1899-1984)

Bio

Randall Thompson studied at Harvard and earned a doctorate in music from the Eastman School of Music. He is one of the most prominent American composers particularly choral composing. He had several notable students including Joel Cohen, Samuel Adler, and Leonard Bernstein. 

Music

Alleluia

Symphony No. 1

String Quartet No. 2

Symphony No. 2

TDCM: August 8th - Ambroise Thomas

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Ambroise Thomas (1811-1896)

Bio

Charles Louis Ambroise Thomas was born in Metz. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and won the Grand Prix de Rome affording him additional study at the French Academy in Rome. He taught at the Conservatoire and had some notable students including Massenet and Enescu. He rose to direct the Conservatoire and fought hard for the traditional styles of Auber and Meyerbeer against the progressive developments of Franck and Fauré.

Music

String Quartet in E-minor

Ballet compositions

TDCM: August 7th - Mikis Theodorakis

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Mikis Theodorakis (1925-2021)

Bio

Michail Theodorakis was born on the Greek Island of Chios. He served in the ELAS and led troops during the Greek Civil War and was briefly interned for his participation. He managed to complete his studies at the Athens Conservatory and founded an Orchestra on Crete. He studied further in Paris under Messiaen, was a friend of Milhaud, and collaborated with Hollywood giants Powell & Pressburger (The Archers). He was very politically active and used his music to inspire unrest and cultural upheaval.

Music

Symphony No. 2 Song of Earth

Symphony No. 3

Symphony No. 1 Proti Simfonia

Symphony No. 7 Spring Symphony

TDCM: August 4th - Georg Philipp Telemann

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)

Bio

Georg Telemann was born in Magdeburg, part of the Holy Roman Empire. He studied at Leipzig University and then directed the local municipal Opera house. He served in several noble courts including Count Erdmann II of Promnitz and Duke Johann Wilhelm. Telemann is believed to have composed over 3,000 pieces and was highly respected by his contemporaries. 

Music

Viola Concerto in G major

Sonata in F minor for Bassoon

Triosonatas

6 Methodical Sonatas for Flute and Harpsichord

TDCM: August 2nd & 3rd - Pyotr Tchaikovsky

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Bio

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk. His genius was evident early as he began composing at age six and was fluent in three languages. Tchaikovsky studied with Nikolai Rubinstein at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. He taught at the newly opened Moscow Conservatory and began composing in earnest. He looked up to the Mighty Five but in many ways, he surpassed their achievements in notoriety and legacy. 

Music

Symphony No. 2

Symphony No. 4

Symphony No. 6

Piano Concerto No. 1

Symphony No. 1

Orchestral Suite No. 3

Symphony No. 3

Symphony No. 5

Symphony No. 7

TDCM: August 1st - Deems Taylor

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Deems Taylor (1885-1966)

Bio

Joseph Deems Taylor was born in New York City. Taylor was a writer and a music critic and composed a number of works for the stage. He wrote for the New York World, did commentary for the New York Philharmonic, and was the master of ceremonies in the film Fantasia.  

Music

Portrait of a Lady

Through the Looking Glass Suite

Circus Day, Eight Pictures from Memory

Peter Ibbetson Suite