Classical Music

Johann Sebasian Bach

J.S. Bach was born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenach. Bach's musical career began at age 15 when he became a
choirboy at the Michaelskirche, Lüneburg. In 1703 he was appointed organist at the Neukirche, Arnstadt.
Four years later, in 1707, he was appointed organist at the Mühlhausen.
 A year later he became the court
organist at Weimer, a position he would hold for nine years. He then went on to serve Prince Leopold of
Köthen as musical director. There he composed many of his most famous pieces, including the Brandenburg
Concertos in 1721. In 1728 he became chief musical director for all of Leipzig, a position he held for most of his
life. On July 28, 1750 Bach, then 65 years old, died in Leipzig.

Bach Midi Links

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a baby, was born in Salzburg (a country in the west of Austria) in 1756 which is called the Age
of Enlightenment (the period when people believed that science could advance human progress.) His father, Leopold, was
also a musician who published a book called Violin School in 1756. His mother, Anna Maria, was an intellectual woman
whose father, also called Wolfgang, was a bass singer.
 
He could compose in 5 years old. In 1762, while he was 6 years old, he appeared in every court in Europe. When he was 7
years old, he met King George III and Queen Charlotte. In 14, he had been a violinist, keyboard player, improviser and
composer. These things are unbelievable that were done by a child.
 
When he was 14, is received the Order of the Golden Spur from the Pope. He didn't want to go so he ask
Pope. But Pope want to seize his father. In 1777, because he didn't want to serve the Archbishop
Hieronymous Colleredo, he leave Salzburg and went to Paris with his mother. Unfortunately, his mother was
died in 3rd July, 1778. On the way to Paris, he was spurned in love by the singer Aloysia Weber. He
composed his first opera, Idomeneo. In 1780, he was sent to Vienna to perform for the festival of Joseph II.
But he was looked down. Mozart had a heavy frustration. 
Because of his talents of music, he changed Vienna into the musical capital of Europe. At last, he married with Contanze Weber, sister of the
singer who refused his love. After 9 years old, Mozart and Weber had two sons, Karl Thomas and Franz Xavier. Because he wanted to support
his family, he composed operas, symphonies, etc.. In 1782, The Abduction from the Seraglio was performed. People were surprised of this
opera. He had about 300 Viennese supporters and because rich. Four of operas he composed : The Abduction from the Seraglio(1782), The
Marriage of Figaro(1786), Don Giovanni(1787) and Cos fan tutte(1790) were very popular in Vienna. Some composer in Vienna, e.g., Figaro
and Antonia Salieri, competed with him, but, certainly, Mozart beated them.
 
In 1781, Mozart encountered Joseph Haydn. They became friendly and almost both were presented
in the same events. Haydn Op.20 quartets provided models for Mozart. In 1781, Haydn published the
Quartets Op.33, which made Mozart to finish his C-major quartet in Jan, 1785. Mozart invited 3 of his
friends to be a new quartet : Wolfgang played Viola, Haydn played 1st violin, Karl Ditters von
Dittersdorf played 2nd violin and Johann Bantist Vanhall played cello. This quartet became popular
and successful.

Mozart Midi Links

Ludwig v Beethoven

Beethoven's story is one of personal triumph over tragedy 
and supreme musical achievement. A complex and brilliant man, 
no composer before or since has exerted greater influence.
 

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), the second-oldest child of the court musician and tenor singer Johann van Beethoven, was born in
Bonn. Ludwig's father drilled him thoroughly with the ambition of showcasing him as a child prodigy. Ludwig gave his first public performance
as a pianist when he was eight years old. At the age of eleven he received the necessary systematic training in piano performance and
composition from Christian Gottlob Neefe, organist and court musician in Bonn. Employed as a musician in Bonn court orchestra since 1787,
Beethoven was granted a paid leave of absence in the early part of 1787 to study in Vienna under Mozart. he was soon compelled to return to
Bonn, however, and after his mother's death had to look after the family. 

    In 1792 he chose Vienna as his new residence and took lessons from Haydn, Albrechtsberger, Schenck and Salieri. By 1795 he had
earned a name for himself as a pianist of great fantasy and verve, admired in particular for his brilliant improvisations. Before long he was
traveling in the circles of the nobility. They offered Beethoven their patronage, and the composer dedicated his works to them in return. By 1809
his patrons provided him with an annuity which enabled him to live as a freelance composer without financial worries. Beethoven was acutely
interested in the development of the piano. He kept close contact with the leading piano building firms in Vienna and London and thus helped
pave the way for the modern concert grand piano. 

    Around the year 1798 Beethoven noticed that he was suffering from a hearing disorder. He withdrew into increasing seclusion for the
public and from his few friends and was eventually left completely deaf. By 1820 he was able to communicate with visitors and trusted friends
only in writing, availing himself of "conversation notebooks". 

    The final years in the life of the restless bachelor (he changed living quarters no fewer than fifty-two times) were darkened by severe
illness and by the struggle over the guardianship of his nephew Karl, upon whom he poured his solicitude, jealousy, expectations and threats in
an effort to shape the boy according to his wishes. When the most famous composer of the age died, about thirty thousand mourners and
curious onlookers were present at the funeral procession on March 26, 1827.
Beethoven Midi Links


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GiuseppeVerdi

Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate;
Va, ti posa sui clivi, sui colli,
Ove olezzano tepide e molli
L'aure dolci del suolo natal
came of poor parents in Roncole of Busseto on the 10th of
Octobre 1813. He soon developed an inclination to music, his first teacher was Pietro Baistrocchi, Roncole
organist; he practised plying a modest spinet while helping his parents with their shop, a modest tavern; at twelve
he went to Busseto and started working for the shop-keeper Barezzi, who then became his protector, while also
studying music with the band teacher Provesi and latin with the canon Seletti. He went to Milan thanks to a
pawnshop grant and Barezzi's financial support: at ninetten he tried to enter the conservatory, however he was not
admitted(!!!), he thus continued his studies with the teacher Lavigna. When he came back to Busseto he was
assigned music composer of the municipality and conductor of the band. In 1835 he married his protector's
daughter Margherita Barezzi who died together with their two children during the 1838-1840 years in Milan,
where the Verdi family has moved. His first opera was "Oberto Conte di San Bonifacio" (1839) successfully
performed at the La Scala Theatre in Milan. His second opera "Un giorno di regno"(1840)a comic work, was a
complete fiasco thus adding more pain to the family misfortune. His extraordinary production of works began just
at that time. His untiring and prodigious activity did not succomb even to the old age which he spent in Villa
Sant'Agata, very close to Busseto, together with the inseparable and faithful Giuseppina Strepponi, who had been
living with him since 1849. Giuseppe Verdi died in Milan on the 27th of the January 1901 and he was burried in
the Home for Musicians he himself founded.




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