Composer of the Week
WC 2nd October 2023
Clara Schumann
Key Information
Born: 1819
Died: 1896
Nationality: German
Genre: Romantic
5 Interesting Facts.
- Clara started her music education at a young age and practised the piano for 2 hours a day.
- At the age of 13 Clara was one of the first pianists to perform from memory – this is now standard practice amongst professional pianists.
- Clara married the composer, Robert Schumann, although her father was against the relationship.
- Robert’s friend, Johannes Brahms, was also in love with Clara and wrote to her to declare his feelings.
- Clara was the first person to publicly perform any work composed by Brahms.
Take a listen to ...
Piano trio in G minor
Three Romances Op 22: Andante Molto
Drei gemischte Chöre: Abendfeier in Venedig
4 Pieces caracteristiques Op.5 No.4 Scene fantastique
Piano Concerto in A minor
Wc 25th Spetember 2023
Igor Stravinksy
Key Information
Born: 1882
Died: 1971
Nationality: Russian
Genre: 20th Century Classical
5 Interesting Facts
- He was born in Russia in 1882.
- Stravinsky composed a piece of music for elephants!
- In 1913 there was a riot at the first performance of his ballet: The Rite of Spring.
- Stravinsky was the most written-about composer of the 20th century.
- He studied law at university but his real passion was music and composition
Take a listen to...
Finale from The Firebird Suite
Rite of Spring: The Sacrifice
Circus Polka
Pulcinella: Overture
Tango
WC 18th September 2023
Rachel Portman
Key Information
Born: 1960
Nationality: British
Genre: Film
5 Interesting Facts
- Rachel Portman was the first female composer to win an Academy Award, for the score of Emma.
- She has composed the scores for over 100 films.
- Portman began scoring films at the age of 14.
- She scored her first major film at the age of 22 (the film Privileged was also actor Hugh Grant’s debut performance)
- Portman collaborated with her husband, Uberto Pasolini, on a film he directed (Still Life; 2013).
Take a listen to...
End Titles
Theme from 'Emma'
ask the river
The Last Dinner
Bailey
WC 4th September 2023
Louis Armstrong
Key Information
Born: 1901
Died: 1971
Nationality: American
Genre: Jazz
5 Interesting Facts
- Louis Armstrong is among the most influential figures in jazz - career spanned five decades and different eras in the history of jazz.
- Armstrong played trumpet and was an influential singer and skillful improviser.
- He appeared in films such as High Society alongside Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra, and Hello, Dolly! starring Barbra Streisand.
- Armstrong's career began in the brass bands and on riverboats in New Orleans.
- He was the first African-American entertainer to gain white (and international) popularity
Take a listen to...
What a Wonderful World
Swing that Music
New Orleans Stomp
I've got a Heart full of Rhythm
Potato Head Blues