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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
…has become an integral part of popular culture, and his influence on other composers of film, popular, and contemporary classical music is profound. His compositions have brought symphonic film scores…
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Claude Debussy
…as one of the composer’s best-known pieces and is a testament to Debussy’s unique approach to musical composition. Debussy and Musical Impressionism Debussy’s music is often associated with the Impressionist…
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Jules Massenet
…the legendary composer, Franz Liszt. Initial Strides in the Musical World Massenet’s first opera, a one-act piece titled La Grand’Tante, made its debut in 1867 at the Opéra-Comique. However, it…
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Isaac Albéniz
…influence on Albéniz. Inspired by Pedrell, Albéniz began incorporating Spanish folk music idioms into his compositions. The Middle Period: A Flourishing Career In the late 1880s, Albéniz’s career reached its…
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Alexander Scriabin
…was deeply introspective and often immersed himself in philosophical and mystical studies. Despite his somewhat eccentric tendencies, he formed deep connections with fellow artists and intellectuals of his time, including…
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Sergei Prokofiev
…a force to be reckoned with. His second piano concerto, in particular, caused a stir at its premiere in 1913 due to its challenging and dissonant nature. Despite the controversy,…
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Gioachino Rossini
…Isabella’s death in 1845, Rossini married his mistress, Olympe Pelissier. Later Works and Retirement In 1824, Rossini travelled, via London, to Paris where he lived for five years and served…
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Benjamin Britten
…a devout pacifist, refused to bear arms during World War II, a stance that influenced his music profoundly. His most poignant anti-war statement, War Requiem (1962), combined the Latin Requiem…
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Bach – Complete Brandenburg Concertos, BWV 1046 – 1051
Bach’s Brandenburg concertos, BWV 1046-1051, performed by Václav Luks and Collegium 1704. The concertos consist of six different compositions in various keys and tempos. Each concerto showcases different movements, such…
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Leopold Mozart
…Early Life and Education Leopold was born into a family of craftsmen and bookbinders. His early education took place at a local Jesuit institution in Augsburg, where he sang in…
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Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
…moved to Leipzig, he attended the Thomasschule as a day student. His father was his sole music tutor, imparting him with invaluable lessons in composition and keyboard-playing. In 1731, he…
