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Biography of Tchaikovsky

teachPiano — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 06:09:19 GMT

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Greatest Russian Romantic Composer, 19th Century

Russian composer Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is famous for ballet music Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker; opera Eugene Onegin; Symphony no.6; and Piano Concerto No.1.

Early Years:
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, considered Russia's greatest composer of the 19th century, born on May 7, 840. He was known for his brilliance in orchestration and melody, along with his immense personal expression. He shares birthday with another famous Romantic composer Johannes Brahms, born seven years ahead of him.

Education and Influence:
Tchaikovsky was extremely gifted with melodic invention combined with strong orchestration and ability to express his emotions in musical terms. For whatever critics and detractors might scoff at, Tchaikovsky's music is professional in sound and techniques. He formally studied at the St Petersburg Conservatoire. Of all composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was his lifelong idol he respected and admired as one of "passionate worship." (Tchaikovsky by David Mountfield, 1990)
Regarded as one of the greatest Russian composers of the late Romantic period, he also produced the Classical beauty of the 18th century which is not surprising when his lifelong devotion for Mozart music is considered. Tchaikovsky's training at St Petersburg Conservatoire 'westernized' his musical technique, separating him from the more traditional and nationalistic school of Russian music.

The Russian Nationalist:
He was no less a Russian nationalist than the famous "Mighty Handful" or "The Five" consisting of Balakirev, Borodin, Cui, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Like them, he used Russian folksong in his music.

Tchaikovsky's Orchestral Works:
• Symphony No.1 "Winter Daydreams"
• Fantasy overture "Romeo and Juliet" considered his first masterpiece
• Symphony No.2 "Little Russian" closest in spirit with the nationalist 'The Five'
• Symphony No.3 in D "Polish"
• Piano Concerto No.1 in B Flat minor played by Hans von Bülow established his international fame
• Symphony No.4 in F minor, dedicated to Nadezhda von Meck
• Violin Concerto in D major, result of his friendship with the violinist Kotek
• Manfred, Byron's poetic drama,published in 1817
• Symphony No.5 in E Minor, one of his most dramatic works
• Symphony No.6 in B Minor, his greatest and last major work

Tchaikovsky's Ballet Music:
His theatrical gifts were primarily for ballet and composed fine dances, with a special fondness for the waltz. He is best remembered for his three ballets:
• Swan Lake
• The Sleeping Beauty (regarded his masterpiece in spite lyrical beauty of Swan Lake)
• The Nutcracker

Tchaikovsky's Operas:
He wrote ten operas of which two are successful:
On scale of economies, operas are always more expensive to produce than a symphony. Eugene Onegin was based on Pushkin's novel-poem. The Queen of Spades is also based on Pushkin's work, with libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky, Piotr's younger brother, a dramatist, librettist and translator.

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's popular music is often listened to on records and performed on stage. From the cascading notes of Piano Concerto No.1 to the captivating ballet music of Sleeping Beauty, his tuneful and passionate works are wrapped with intense emotional power and immediately appeals. His musical ability is clearly heard in his symphonies, concertos, ballets, operas, chamber music and songs, including that endearing "None but the Lonely Heart." Tchaikovsky died aged 53.

Biography of Beethoven

teachPiano — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:48:52 GMT

Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in a small town ‘Bonn’ of Germany on 16 December 1770 in a family of professional musicians. His father Johann and grandfather Ludwig were musicians and they had decided to train him in music right from his childhood, so his father took on the job to teach him the basic lessons of music. Ludwig learned violin and some other instruments from his father. His father wanted Ludwig to be perfect in music, and in that endeavor he thrashed littel Ludwig
whenever he made any mistake during practice (According to one story, because of the punishments given by his father Ludwig suffered from hearing problems in future, which ruined his life). Besides the fact that his father and grandfather had a wish that little Ludwig should become a great musician, he himself had a great interest in music. Whatever treatment Ludwig received from
his father, he never let fade his love and interest in music.

Further, Beethoven was sent to learn music from C. G. Neefe. Beethoven learned every possible and minute detail of music from Neefe and also became his assistant when was 11 years of age. He learned piano, violin and organ from Neefe. Beethoven and Mozart share many situations in their lives which are perfectly similar in many aspects, both of them were born in a family where
music was the most important and indivisible part of life, both received training in music right from their childhood, they both had genuine interest in music and like Mozart, Beethoven also had started performing in public events, shows etc. when he was just six years of age. When Beethoven was twelve years old, his first music work was published. Ludwig dropped out of his school when he was thirteen year old in order to concentrate on his practice and to perform in musical tours.

Beethoven then continued assisting Neefe till he was seventeen years old. In 1787, he went to Vienna in search of good opportunities and to demonstrate his talent in music. But he had to return to his house in Bonn when he learned about his mother's illness. Finally, near 1792 he took off for Vienna in search of a good work in the field of music.

In Vienna, Beethoven tried to learn new things and learned composition and counterpoint from well-known personalities from the world of music such as Haydn, Albrecht Berger, Salieri and Schenk. He even published some of his compositions. Beethoven was a wise person and had a good foresight; he had understood that in his run to achieve a good position, all that he needed was good relations with people who had power in their hands. Beethoven established his relations with high profile people in Vienna, which ensured him continual income for his lifetime. His relations helped him on such level that even that time (1809) Prince of Vienna, Prince Kinsky and Prince Lobkowitz assured him a yearly income if he agreed to stay in Vienna for rest of his life.

During the period 1800 to 1813, Beethoven learned high classical style and even adopted it in his creations and performances he gave. With the new style that he had learned, he wrote some new symphonies, some new concerts, quartets etc. Beethoven gained popularity very fast during the middle period of his life. It was a time when Beethoven wanted to concentrate on his work and continue with new compositions, but at the same time he suffered from hearing problem, which worsened gradually.

The problem with hearing that he suffered was reflected in the compositions he created and even his social life was getting affected because of it. It became very hard for Beethoven to attend any public event as his hearing problem created lot of tension for him and at times the situation led in broken relationships with others.

At the time when everything had almost finished for Beethoven, he came up with a determination that helped him mark his re-entry in the world of music. He wrote many symphonies (Erotica Symphony No. 3 which he dedicated to Napoleon, symphony no. 5, 6, 7 and 8), piano and violin concerts, various tones, compositions for orchestras, few operas, number very famous sonatas, three and six string quartets etc. Beethoven's musical work during this period is the most ultimate and a state of art performance he ever gave. Beethoven had proved himself to be the greatest musician of his time. He was successful in gaining
popularity as a public figure and was respected for his work in the field of music.

After few years, Beethoven was in situation where he became almost deaf and could hear nothing. It was a dead end for the musical genius and it became nearly impossible for him to perform. Beethoven stopped creating new composition and was very much frustrated (He even wrote letters to his brothers telling them how he felt like it was an end of his life and what he wished to do). During this period when Beethoven had almost stopped working on music creation, his earlier compositions, and symphonies ensured funds for him. But it could hardly suffice for longer period and he suffered economical problems.

His health went on deteriorating and he had not enough funds left to take care of himself. Finally, on 26 March 1827, the great musical genius left this world forever.

Biography of Mozart

teachPiano — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:16:44 GMT

One of the most widely appreciated prominent musical maestro ever happened to live in the history, musical genius Mozart was born on 27 January 1756 in Salzburg, Austria to Leopold Mozart, a business-minded composer, violinist and an assistant concertmaster at the Salzburg court and Anna Maria Pertl. He was named Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Gottlieb Mozart in honor of his grandfather (maternal) and a Saint Johannes Chrysostomus with whom he shared his birth date. Being born and brought up in a family where music was in air, in life and in dreams of everyone, Mozart was naturally attracted towards music. From his childhood, Wolffanfus learned and developed immense interest in music. When he was just 5 years old, Mozart started composing small and beautiful melodious numbers. Looking at his children's musical talent, Mozart's father decided to use this opportunity to showcase the talent of his children (Wolfgangus and elder daughter Maria Anna "Nannerl") in front of the world. At the age of six (in mid 1763), Mozart and his elder sister performed in many concerts in European Courts (In Paris and London); they also gave performances at major cities where they met many music lovers. They also performed in front of the Bavarian elector, royal families and the Austrian empress. Wolfgangus and his sister played piano and violin and were more than successful to tie their audiences to the chairs.

Soon, Wolfgangus wrote and published his first composition and when he was nine years old he started writing symphonies. Demand for his music show started increasing so much that only nine months after coming back from his tour in 1766, the Mozart family again set for yet another tour of Vienna. However, due to some problems Mozart could not perform in an opera in Vienna.

After coming from the tour of Vienna, Wolfgangus tried to concentrate on improving and learning new skills in music, for this reason he did not plan any tour till 1770. In next three years from 1770 to 1773, Mozart toured Italy three times and gave many outstanding performances. While on tour of Italy, Mozart even wrote two of his famous operas 'Mitridate' and 'Lucio Silla'. Mozart showcased his talent and astonished his audience when he adopted Italian style in his music. Mozart further started his journey of music composition, he wrote set of string quartet and also some symphonies. When Mozart was at Salzburg during the period from 1774 to 1777, he worked as Konzertmeister (Concert Master) at the Prince Archbishop's Court where he performed in some Piano and Violin concerts (about half a dozen piano sonatas), masses, symphonies etc. During the same period, he visited Munich once in 1775 for a premier of his Opera La Finta giardiniera.

Wolfgangus was very ambitious and wanted to attain a very high position in the world of music, he knew that staying in Salzburg it was never possible to achieve what he wanted; in 1777 Mozart left Salzburg with his mother and set for Munich and Mannheim. There he tried his best to find a good post for himself but was never offered one, he then moved to Paris in search of the same. In Paris, Anna Maria (Wolfgangus's mother) died and Wolfgangus became very lonely, here also Wolfgangus could not get any suitable post for himself. After Wolfgangus's all the unsuccessful trials, Leopold called him back to Salzburg, where he managed to arrange a high level post for his son. For next two years, Wolfgangus, worked at Court and played concerts at Courts and Cathedrals. He actively participated in concerts, serenades and also composed music for dramas. He also continued composing and creating symphonies. In 1780 he received the most awaited opportunity to perform in an opera at Munich.

Along with many concerts, operas and music composition for dramas, Mozart also wrote beautiful music compositions, which have become masterpiece of his artwork. Mozart was sent to the court at Vienna where he was not allowed to work for the post he wanted the most, he finally gave up trying to perform at the court in Vienna and got out of the job around 1781. After that period, Mozart received many golden opportunities to make fortune when he created music while he was not at any post. Soon, Mozart started going in public, he played music in public functions, published his work and also started teaching music. Further in 1787, Mozart was offered a minor court post as Kammermusicus, where he wrote dance music for court balls. In year 1782, Mozart married Constanze Weber (younger sister of Aloysia Weber, Mozart’s former lover).

Mozart gained a reasonable popularity by publishing some beautiful sonatas (for violin and piano), music compositions, and by performing in concerts and Operas like 'Die Entfuhrun aus dem Serail' (in 1782, which was one of his most successful operas with many songs in it. NOTE: Mozart wrote serious as well as comic operas (he wrote three comic operas in his life)), he also wrote some quartets, which he had dedicated to his Haydn who appreciated Mozart for his knowledge of music and composition talent. Mozart also gained popularity by managing concerts on his own, without any assistance he not only composed music for the concert but he also managed the orchestra. Mozart earned enough to live a comfortable life, but because of his improper management of money and expenses, he was never able to save money for future and always had to borrow from others when was in need of money.

Mozart spent rest of his life in Vienna; during this period he also visited various places such as Salzburg, Berlin etc. to perform in operas, dramas and concerts. Mozart died on 5 December 1791 in Vienna. (There are different
stories regarding the death of musical genius, according to one story he died of the feverish illness (Rheumatic Fever) and according to another he died of poisoning).

Mozart composed hundreds of beautiful and unique music works which include over 20 operas, about 14-15 Masses, 30-40 concerts (piano and violin), 50-60 symphonies, and 20 sonatas etc. Even after his death, Mozart remained and will remain one of the most favorite musicians for millions of his fans.