TDCM: June 30th - Johann Stamitz

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Johann Stamitz (1717-1757)

Bio

Johann Wenzel Anton Stamitz was born in Deutschbrod, Bohemia which is Maribor, Slovenia today. He studied briefly at the University of Prague but was sufficiently capable on the violin to start a career. He served in the Mannheim court and is known as the founder of the Mannheim school of composition. His son is the next entrant in the dictionary.

Music

Symphony No. 2 in D

6 Trios for Orchestra

Flute Concertos

Sinfonia in A Maj Frühling

Missa Solemnis

TDCM: June 29th - John Stainer

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

John Stainer (1840-1901)

Bio

Sir John Stainer was born in London. His father built a small organ and John would assist him in playing hymns with their family.  He studied the organ at St. Sepulchre's Church and probably met Arthur Sullivan there; the two composers became good friends. He worked at Oxford for several years and gained significant notoriety for his organ playing and choral conducting. He was knighted in 1888 by Queen Victoria.

Music

The Crucifixion

The Daughter of Jairus

TDCM: June 27th - Gaspare Spontini

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Gaspare Spontini (1774-1851)

Bio

Gaspare Luigi Pacifico Spontini was born in Maiolati which was part of the Papal State. He studied in Naples and gained early notoriety there. He then traveled to Paris and served under Empress Joséphine. He was lauded by his contemporaries such as Beethoven, Cherubini, and Rossini as one of the greatest Opera composers in history. 

Music

La Vestale

Olympie Overture

TDCM: June 26th - Louis Spohr

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Louis Spohr (1784-1859)

Bio

Ludewig Spohr was born in Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. He studied Violin with Franz Eck and served in the Duke of Brunswick's court. He married a harpist and they toured together playing his compositions. He made several European tours and along the way met Beethoven. He had a successful career as a prominent performer and teacher.  

Music

Clarinet Concerto No. 1

Violin Concerto No. 2

Concerto for String Quartet

Symphony No. 3 in C minor

Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major

Symphony No. 7 in C major

Septet in A minor

Nonet for winds and strings in F major

Symphony No. 2 in D minor

Violin Concerto No. 1

Violin Concerto No. 3

Symphony No. 10

TDCM: June 23rd - Leo Sowerby

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Leo Sowerby (1895-1968)

Bio

Leo Salkeld Sowerby was born in Michigan. He was prodigious and taught himself Organ as a young man. He studied at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. He was a bandmaster in World War I and taught at the American Conservatory for many years. He founded the College of Church Musicians in '62 and directed it till his death. 

Music

Symphony No. 3

Canticle of the Sun

Monotony

From the Northland

Theme in Yellow

Poem for Viola and Organ

TDCM: June 22nd - Fernando Sor

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Fernando Sor (1778-1839)

Bio

Fernando Sor was born in Barcelona. His works have been published under several variants of his name including Joseph Fernando Macario Sor, Ferdinand Sor, Ferdinando Sor, and Ferran Sor. He is known for advancements in classical guitar composition and has been called "the Beethoven of the guitar."

Music

Grande Sonata

Fantasia on a theme by Paisiello

Fantasia in C minor

Studies for Guitar

TDCM: June 21st - Ethel Smyth

 

Listening Through The Dictionary of Composers and Their Music 

Ethel Smyth (1858-1944)

Bio

Dame Ethel Mary Smyth, DBE was born in Kent. The military was a strong tradition in her family as her father was Major General John Smyth, her youngest brother was Brigadier Bob Smyth, and her nephew was Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Eastwood. She studied at the Leipzig Conservatory and met many of the great composers of her time including Brahms, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, and Clara Schumann. She was a successful composer and active suffragette.

Music

String Quartet in E minor

Concerto for Violin, Horn, and Orchestra

Serenade in D major

String Quintet in E major

Violin Sonata