Composers | Classical Music Entertainment

Music for Children

There are so many genres of music. The fantastic part is that there is creativity and innovative sound at every turn. However, despite updated sounds, recording techniques, and new music, the truth remains that classical music is the inspiration for it all. Developing music theory is the brain child of the original artists like Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Mozart. There are many more countless others, but these are some of the leaders of classic music innovation.

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Music Design

The design of music is something that has been proven to be not just musical, but to be mathematically sound. It has been proven that children that listen to classical music have shown drastic improvements in their grades, test scores, and in their capability to process information. The other link that children have is that with language.

Some of have suggested that music works in conjunction with the language part of the brain, and that it stimulates the processing of the information developed during the formative years. The key is that the systematic function of the music design has provided a unique way for children to open a learning door.

Music Incorporated in the Beginning

When parents incorporate music into the normal part of their child’s lives, it has been shown to help cognitive development. The genres of music do create a diverse type of music to listen to, but nothing tops the original composers and true classical music. This means that children can have a rounded a variety of music to listen to while learning.

Filed Under: Artists, Composers, Music Tagged With: Classical Music, Ludwig van Beethoven, Music theory

A Beethoven Fact Sheet

Ask anyone who they know as a classical music composer and they will usually answer with Beethoven. Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most well-known classical composers of all times. Here’s a look at some facts surrounding a Beethoven’s life and some of his most well-known pieces.

Beethoven was born on December 17, 1770. He was born in the city of Bonn which at the time was considered part of the Holy Roman Empire. Today it would be considered Germany.
Beethoven moved to Vienna and effort to learn classical music and various instruments.it took only a matter of years for him to quickly gain a reputation as one of the best classical music composers of all time.
In the late 1790s Beethoven’s hearing began to deteriorate due to an inner ear problem. This caused him to become completely deaf. However, he did not let this disability prevent him from being able to compose and perform his various pieces. Beethoven is most known for laying his head on the top of the piano and listening to the various vibrations of the music. Some of Beethoven’s best music was composed after he lost his hearing.
Beethoven has been credited with bringing the classical and Romantic music to the western part of the world. In his lifetime he composed over 32 sonatas, a various number of shorter pieces intended for the piano, and accompaniments for various instruments to play along next to the piano. Beethoven also composed nine complete symphony orchestra pieces in various long pieces that are not considered symphony pieces.

Filed Under: Artists, Composers Tagged With: Bonn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Vienna

All About Bach

If you enjoy classical music, then surely you’ve heard of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach was definitely one of the greatest composers of all time. His classical pieces are still played to this day in millions of homes around the world.

Bach was born in March of 1685 in Eisenach, Germany. He studied many subjects in school such as Latin, Greek, math, history, rhetoric and orthodox Lutheranism. When moving on to music, Bach first became skilled at the organ and later moved on to the harpsichord. While he had some lessons, most of his learning he taught to himself.

In his early teenage years, Bach went to Lyceum for school and then to Lüneburg where he started to learn about music. There he stayed with his brother and learned all about building organs, mainly because the church organs were always needed repairs.

In the early 1700s, Bach was hired to play at a church and he composed the music for everything that was played there. He later on married Maria Barbara and shortly thereafter accepted a job with the Duke of Weimar, Wilhelm Ernst to play in his presence. Soon after he was given the position of court organist where he composed most of the music. He soon earned the title of concert master, and then moving on to chapel master.

After the Duke, he went to work for Prince Leopold of Cöthen and then as a Kantor at the Thomasschule. In 1750, Bach died of a stroke.

Bach was one of the many important music composers of his time. His classical music falls into the Baroque period of time, where he was prominent and highly respected for his musical abilities.

The next time you sit down to listen to one of Bach’s many concertos, take a moment and reflect on the time period and how he managed to compose some very beautiful sounding music.

Filed Under: Composers Tagged With: Johann Sebastian Bach

title: A Look at the Life of Clara Schumann

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Classical music has been popular for centuries. From the days of Beethoven and Mozart to more modern scorers such as Yo-Yo Ma, classical music has proved to have an audience made up of people from all walks of life. Indeed, classical music is one of if not the strongest selling genre of music worldwide, with modern singers such as Josh Groban and Charlotte Church easily outselling other more ‘popular’ artists such as Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z and Beyonce. However, classical music is often seen as a male-dominated arena. When people think of classical composers they think of famous men such as Handel and Vivaldi. This seems unfair, especially considering that one of the most well known pieces of classical music ever, The Celebrated Chop Waltz (otherwise known as chopsticks), was written by a woman!

One of the most famous female composers was Clara Schumann. Schumann wrote and performed classical music for 61 years, becoming known as one of the finest pianists of her day. She also played a large part in mentoring and teaching students, one of whom would grow up to become another famous composer, Brahms. Although she was married to the musician Robert Schumann, who is much more well known than she is, it was Clara’s playing and writing that provided their family with a source of income. Sadly for Clara, her life was not an easy one. As well as having to raise a family, find the time to compose music and deal with the fact that her husband was more respected as a musician, she also had to go through a number of tragedies. She outlived her husband and four of her eight children, while another became insane and was forced to live in an asylum. She also became deaf when she got older, surely the worst punishment for a musician as talented as she.

Filed Under: Artists, Composers Tagged With: Clara Schumann

A Look at the Life of Fanny Mendelssohn

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Although the most famous classical composers are usually men, there are a number of music writers who produced great works in the classical field who were women. Often overlooked, one of these women was Fanny Mendelssohn.

The sister of composer Felix Mendelssohn, Fanny was born in Hamburg and shared the same education in music as her brother. Although she only lived a relatively short life (she was only 42 when she died), Fanny composed frequently and ended up writing over 450 pieces of music for the piano. Her father was not particularly supportive of her musical endeavors, although Felix himself would encourage her while she in return would help him with his writing. Although Felix was dubious of her publishing pieces under her own name (such a thing was simply not done by a woman in the early 19th Century) he did allow her to publish some of her work under his own name. After she was married, Fanny continued to write and eventually did publish some of her own pieces under her own name in 1846.

Fanny was respected as a composer, although she did not perform her music for the public. Indeed, her debut performance also turned out to be her last when she played Piano Concerto No. 1, written by her brother, in 1838. Fanny died not long after this in 1847 when she suffered a stroke and the following complications resulted in her passing away. Felix wrote String Quartet No. 6 in F minor in memory of her, only to tragically pass away himself a year later. The resulting stress and strain of losing two children also caused the deaths of Fanny’s mother and father in quick succession, as well as her grandfather.

Although tragically cut short, Fanny Mendelssohn led an intriguing life as a composer and left a number of remarkable compositions to carry on her name.

Filed Under: Composers Tagged With: Fanny Mendelssohn

Classical Music in Sports Betting Sites

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Why not? Classical music actually fits any atmosphere, even those you wouldn’t otherwise associate it with. That’s because classical music knows no boundaries; therefore, it could fit perfectly in sports betting sites.

Think about it. How many times have you been watching a movie, whether it involves sports or not, and classical music was played to set the scene? It may have been the “William Tell Overture” to lead into an exciting chase sequence; Tchaikovsky’s “March of the Wooden Soldiers” from “The Nutcracker” to introduce a crowd scene where they were going into a large venue, such as a sports stadium; or any other classical music selection that would help move the story along.

Those who listen to classical music on a regular basis most likely keep up with the latest concert dates and venues where they can find classical music information or events. Whether it’s recordings to add to their collection or opportunities to learn about the new performers who are putting their own “spin” on this very old genre, enthusiasts can keep their interest as fresh as, well, as today’s sports events.

If you should find yourself listening for classical music in rather unusual places (as you very well might once you’ve read this article), try to remember at least a few bars of the piece. Or, wait to see if an announcement is made giving the title of the piece. You may decide to research it to find out more about it.

So the next time you are watching your favorite sporting event, whether live or on TV, keep an ear open when they begin playing the music. You might recognize some of the pieces that were mentioned in the second paragraph of this article. If you do, take a moment to look around while you’re listening and see for yourself how much classical music added to the atmosphere.

Filed Under: Artists, Composers, Concert, General, Instruments, Music Tagged With: Arts, Classical, classicalmusic, Compact Disc, MP3, Music, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sound Files

My Need for Change

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A while ago I realized that I had to replace my old Canon 5.0 megapixel camera and get something a little more updated. I like my Canon, but after seeing the quality of images from other people’s standard everyday camera, I decided I had to get a new one. So after thinking about it for several days, I decided that I needed a change and I was finally willing to try new features. Like me, I am sure, there are many people out there who enjoy their old camera and trust the quality, which they are not willing to part with. But like everything else in the technology world, change is good and quality of the end product can be better.

So where did I find the extra cash? I enjoy online casino games like others and with a recent winning from one of the games, I decided that the most productive way to spend the money was to invest in the new camera. Not only did I not have to spend additional money from my own pocket, but with the huge range of cameras out there, I was actually able to find something within my budget. It is unbelievable how many cameras are out there in the market and unless you are actually looking to purchase one, you don’t realize the choices available to you.

Anyway I finally settled on a 12.1 megapixel Nikon, and even though I was skeptical about switching from my old handy Canon, I don’t regret the switch. It’s a great everyday camera with simple to use features and the quality of the photos is so much better than my old camera. One thing people should learn is that they need to update their digital cameras more often in order to keep up with the technology.

Filed Under: Artists, Composers, Concert Tagged With: Arts, Camera, Canon, Digital camera, Equipment and Services, Nikon, Photography, Pixel

Bill Consolidation – An Artist’s Savior?

If you are an aspiring classical musicians and artist or composer living in a big city like New York, you may find that the road to being discovered is one that you must travel often and with determination. Whether you are into classic music or classical art you want to be chosen to succeed in your industry. Most aspiring classical musicians and artists are hoping to be discovered as they weave their craft and find enjoyment in what they do. The only challenge is having the freedom to enjoy their time as they carve their career path without having the stress of bills and all that accompanies it.

As an artist, you certainly need the flexibility to be creative and unencumbered with stressful situations. However, the fact of life dictates that bills exist, but that doesn’t mean that bills can’t be managed so as to afford you the freedom you need to create masterpieces. In cases like these, you may consider bill consolidation as a means to an end. It is a very popular method in reducing and eliminating debt high monthly interest rates.

You may consider a bill reduction program where you devise a system to do it yourself. This requires the responsibility to get in touch with the creditors to start a negotiation process. The negotiation is for covering fee reduction with the best payment and interest rate options.

The negotiation process starts when an individual fails to make the payment for some time. This is why creditors are doubtful of future payments when dealing with new or first-time consolidators. However, the situation is different when a third party is involved. Dealing with a third party can also be beneficial by allowing them to use their experience to get you the best deal possible.

Whichever route you decide to go to reduce your debt, make sure that it is one that fits your budget and lifestyle. This will ensure that you are free to pursue your love and passion for the arts. A budding artist needs all the flexibility they can get to successfully pursue their dream.

Filed Under: Composers, Music Tagged With: Composers, Financial Planning

Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky

Born to a middle-class family in Votkinsk, Russia, May 7, 1840, Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky was a renown composer of the Romantic era. His work included a wide range of symphonies, operas, instrumental and chamber music and ballets, among them “Swan Lake”, “The Sleeping Beauty”, the “1812 Overture”, and “The Nutcracker”. Peter Tschaikowski
From infancy, Tchaikovsky had music in his soul. He tap out melodies on windowpanes. At age seven, after hearing Mozart’s Don Giovanni played on a music box, he begged his parents for music lessons. They obliged, but playing proved so exciting to him, he couldn’t sleep.
His father believed music was not a fit career, and sent him away to school to become a law clerk. Separation from his mother was crushing, and sadly, she died before his return. A month later, he wrote his first music.
Of composing, he admited, “I forget everything and behave like one demented. Everything inside me begins to pulse and quiver.” He suffered low self esteem, believing that music alone redeemed him from worthlessness.
Tchaikovsky was generous and gave half his money away. The rest, he spent on his lavish lifestyle. He had expensive tastes; he always took cabs, loved food, wine, cigarettes (one after the other), and perfumes. He was a handsome man who dressed impeccably, right down to his white gloves and walking cane.
He married only once – to a nervous woman because she threatened suicide if he didn’t. After nine weeks, it was Tchaikovsky himself who attempted suicide by diving into an icy river. He survived, and that same year began corresponding with an older, wealthy widow. Under the strict condition they never meet, she financed his every need. When she abruptly ended their correspondence without explanation, Tchaikovsky was devastated. He died 3 years later at age 53, mumbling her name.
Some say he died from drinking unboiled water during a cholera epidemic, thereby contracting the disease. Others speculate that after rumors of his homosexuality began circulating among the music community, he took poison rather than face a scandal, and be exposed.

Filed Under: Composers, Music

Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms was a German pianist and composer who wrote masterpieces in every form but opera, and was most famous for his four symphonies, and his beautiful piano music and chamber ensembles for voice and chorus. Much of his work went unpublished, and Brahms, a perfectionist who was extremely self-critical, even destroyed some of it. The rest is an enduring staple of the modern concert repertoire. Johannes Brahms

Born in Hamburg Germany on May 7, 1933, Brahms grew up in the slums amid the adversity of crime and disease. His father, a bass player, worked in bars, and taught him at an early age to support his family by playing dance music in waterfront bars. He would keep a book propped up on the piano, so he could read while playing. When he was too sleepy to play, bartenders plied him with drinks to keep him awake. By the time he was 15, he was making his living at music.

Young Brahms was handsome and slender with long wheat colored hair and a high voice that didn’t deepen until his mid-20’s. He wore flannel shirts, a shabby brown coat, and ill-fitting baggy trousers with pockets full of candy and little pictures, which he handed out to children he’d meet on his walks. He often forgot to fasten his suspenders, and while conducting, had to grab his pants to keep them from falling off. His gait, similar to Beethoven’s, was head forward, hands behind his back.

Brahms had several romances, and though he never married, his emotional closeness with pianist and composer Clara Schumann, 14 years his senior, was the foundation of his life. Introduced to her husband Robert Schumann in a letter from a virtuoso with whom he’d toured, Brahms was welcomed by the Schumann family. Clara gave him piano lessons, investment advice, and did all she could to help him. After the attempted suicide and hospitalization of her husband, Brahms lived with Clara and her children for 2 years, assisting her with child-care, housekeeping, and rearranging her library. He lived less than a year after Clara Schumann died. At age 64, Brahms died of liver cancer.

Filed Under: Composers