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Composer of the Month


Joseph Haydn
(1732-1809)


  • Known as "Papa Haydn" or "Father of the Symphony"
  • Was an Austrian composer from the Classical Period
  • He was a close friend of Mozart and was Beethoven's teacher
  • His compositions were known for their humor, especially the sudden loud chord in the slow movement of his "Surprise Symphony."





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February- Ludwig van Beethoven
(1770-1827)




 


  • Born in Bonn, Germany
  • Was a German composer and pianist
  • Moved to Vienna in his late 20's and studied with Joseph Haydn
  • By the age of 26, Beethoven became deaf. He suffered from a severe form of tinnitus, "ringing in his ear."
  • Some of his famous works include Symphony No. 5, Symphony No. 9 (Ode to Joy) Moonlight Sonata, Sonata Pathetique, Eroica 
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January- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
             (1756-1791)


-Was a famous composer of the classical era
- Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria
- He was a short man but was a child prodigy
- Composed his first symphony (Symphony No. 1 in 
   E flat at the age of 12
- One of his favorite operas was called, "Die Zauberflote" 
  which means "The Magic Flute" in English.
- Mozart was considered an accomplished
  pianist at the age of 5. 
- The Requiem was the last piece Mozart
   composed before he died at age 35

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                        December- Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky
                                                     (1840-1893)





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November- Opera
Key composers:
Verdi
Rossini
Puccini
Bizet
Strauss
Mozart

  • play an online opera game HERE 
the Sydney Opera House
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September/October- Johann Sebastian Bach


1685-1750

~A composer from the Baroque period
~Born in Germany
~Although famous now, many people didn't like Bach's music during his lifetime.  They thought he was old-fashioned and boring!
~It’s hard to believe but Bach had 20 children and was married twice


~Instruments He Played: Organ, Harpsichord, clavichord, violin


~Major Compositions:
Harpsichord: Little Book for the Keyboard, 
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Books 1 and 2. 
Organ: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor 

Orchestra: Brandenburg Concertos
Choral: Christmas Oratario, St. Matthew Passion
~Famous compositions:
     The Well-Tempered Clavier (excerpt below)

     Brandenburg Concertos (excerpt below)

     Toccata and Fugue

     6 Cello Suites (excerpt below)