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Johann Strauss I
…string quartet formed by his future competitor, Joseph Lanner, and the Drahanek brothers. This ensemble, known for its Viennese waltzes and rustic German dances, eventually expanded into a small string…
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Clara Schumann
…contributing extensively to the evolution of music during the 19th century. Early Life and Musical Education Born on September 13, 1819, in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, Clara Josephine Wieck was destined…
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Johann Nepomuk Hummel
…distinguished musicians including Johann Georg Albrechtsberger, Antonio Salieri, and Joseph Haydn. It was also during this time that Ludwig van Beethoven arrived in Vienna. He took lessons from Haydn and…
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Max Bruch
…led him to Sonderhausen, where he produced his Symphony No. 1 and Symphony No. 2 in F Minor. Despite the challenges of living in the shadow of other great composers…
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Bedřich Smetana
…common among the middle classes in the Hapsburg empire. In 1856, Smetana moved to Gothenburg, Sweden, in search of work and success. Although his advanced compositions were not well-received in…
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John Williams
…scored some of Spielberg’s most acclaimed and successful films, including “Jaws,” “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “Lincoln.” His partnership with George Lucas birthed the…
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Claude Debussy
…Images (1905) and Children’s Corner Suite (1908), both for solo piano. Among his most popular works is Clair de lune (“Moonlight,” in Suite bergamasque, 1890–1905). The piece is often regarded…
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Jules Massenet
…to join the Paris Conservatory as a Professor of Composition. His successful tenure influenced an entire generation of French composers including Gustave Charpentier and Reynaldo Hahn. Meanwhile, his own compositions…
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The Emotional Power of Classical Music: How Timeless Pieces Invoke Our Deepest Feelings
…and unease. These compositions often feature startling harmonies, sudden dynamic changes, and eerie melodies. Examples of suspenseful classical music include: In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg: This…
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Isaac Albéniz
…gave his first performance, showcasing his innate proficiency for the piano. Early Education and Training Recognizing their son’s prodigious talent, Albéniz’s parents arranged for him to study music under the…
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Alexander Scriabin
…with Vasily Safonov and composition with Sergei Taneyev. Development as a Composer During his years at the Moscow Conservatory, Scriabin’s compositions began to gain attention for their originality and daring…
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Sergei Prokofiev
…1904, Prokofiev and his mother met Sergei Taneyev and Alexander Glazunov, both prominent figures in the Russian music scene. Impressed by the young Prokofiev’s talent, Glazunov recommended that he apply…
