Art Music History

Handel was born in Halle, Germany, in 1685. He did not come from a musical family and was forbidden by his father to learn an instrument. As a child he secretly practiced on a clavichord in an attic room of his house. Handel spent much of his adult life in England where he composed many oratorios at a time when opera was not permitted to be performed. His most famous oratorio is the 'Messiah'.

http://youtu.be/S4BWhvIlFVE

Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany, in 1685. His father was employed as a musician, as were most of his relatives. He began learning to play the violin and clavichord as a child, first from his father and, later, from his brother. Bach went on to revolutionize the way music was composed, establishing rules that we still use today. One of Bach's most famous compositions is 'Toccata and Fugue in D minor'. http://youtu.be/bkUUjUJ4wHg

Haydn was born in Rohrau, Austria, in 1732. He was apprenticed to a music teacher at the age of six where he began learning to play the harpsichord and violin. He moved to Vienna at the age of seven to work as a choir boy in the Cathedral, where he learned to sing as well as play instruments. Haydn spent most of his adult life working for one family and providing original scores, performance and musical instruction for the family. One of his most famous pieces is from this time: The 'Surprise Symphony'. http://youtu.be/kmY590tKjF8

Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1756. His father, Leopold, was a composer and and music teacher. Mozart began learning to play the clavier at age three by looking on as his older sister took lessons from their father. He began his own lessons, also from their father, at age four. As a mature composer, Mozart composed in all the musical genres of the time bringing each of them to the height of perfection. The overture to 'The Marriage of Figaro' is one of his best known works. http://youtu.be/io1TLkvQEHQ

Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany, in 1770. His father and grandfather were musicians and Beethoven's father was his first music teacher. Beethoven began learning to play the piano and violin as a child. His nine symphonies are the best ever written. His fifth symphony is recognizable to many people. http://youtu.be/rRgXUFnfKIY

Schubert was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1797. His father was a school master. Schubert began learning the violin from his father and keyboard from his brother as a child, and soon showed such talent that he also began lessons on the organ from the church organist. Schubert wrote beautiful songs for soloists called lieder. One of his most famous is the 'Ave Maria'. http://youtu.be/bPvAQxZsgpQ

Mendelssohn was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1809. His parents provided an excellent education for their children which included piano and composition lessons. Mendelssohn and his sister, Fanny, showed musical talent from a young age. Both Felix and Fanny wrote beautiful pieces for the piano. Some of Fanny's pieces were published under Felix' name because their father did not think it was proper for a woman to publish their work. One of his most famous group of compositions is 'Songs Without Words' for piano. http://youtu.be/RIU70B6K7Ls

Wagner was born in Leipzig, Germany, in 1813. His stepfather was a playwright and Wagner spent a great amount of time seeing theater and opera. Wagner learned a little piano as a child, but his serious music lessons did not begin until he was a teenager. He is best known for his operas, especially the four operas known as the 'Ring' cycle. They tell a story that continues throughout the four operas. http://youtu.be/5PHINKZrwRs (Ride of the Valkyries)

Saint-Saens was born in Paris, France, in 1835. His father died when he was a baby and he was raised by his mother and an aunt. Saint-Saens' began to learn to play the piano at age two, first from his aunt, and then, at age seven from a music teacher. Saint-Saens composed music for his relatives private enjoyment, as well as for the public. One his most famous pieces 'Danse Macabre" is a tone poem describing what happens in a church yard at midnight on Hallowe'en. http://youtu.be/csJJIp7jCYA

Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk, Russia, in 1840. His parents played music in their home, but were not professional musicians. Tchaikovsky began learning to play the piano when he was five. During his adult life he was able to devote his time to musical composition because a wealthy patron provided for his living expenses. Tchaikovsky is best known for his ballets. 'The Nutcracker' is one his most famous ballets. http://youtu.be/SUAcfKcyDkQ (Waltz of the Flowers)