1.
1863 in music
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January 6 – Johannes Brahms Piano Sonata no.3 is premièred in Vienna, played by the 29-year-old composer. Richard Wagner is among the audience, january 29 – Established composer Giacomo Meyerbeer presents the young Jacques Offenbach to Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the queen consort of Prussia. February 8 – Richard Wagner conducts a concert of his own music in Prague, february-April – Richard Wagner conducts a concert of his own music in Saint Petersburg. Works performed included excerpts from Tristan und Isolde, Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, february 25 – Johann Strauss II is appointed musical director of the Hofball. March 15 – In Vienna, Franz Schuberts Der Entfernten D.331 for a vocal quartet is performed in public for the first time,35 years after the composers death. April 19 – Hector Berlioz is presented with the Cross of the Order of Hohenzollern, may 10 – Violinist Joseph Joachim marries contralto Amalie Schneeweiss. May 12 – Richard Wagner takes up residence at Penzing, near Vienna, june 20 – Franz Liszt takes up residence at the Dominican monastery of the Madonna del Rosario, Monte Mario, near Rome. July 11 – Pope Pius IX visits Franz Liszt at Monte Mario, august 3 – 21-year-old Jules Massenet is awarded the First Grand Prix de Rome for his setting of the cantata David Rizzio. September 30 – Georges Bizets opera, Les pêcheurs de perles receives its première at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, november 2 – John Knowles Paine performs at the inauguration of a new organ at the Music Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. In the same year, he work on an opera, Salammbô. All Quiet Along the Potomac Tonight w. Ethel Lynn Beers m, John Hill Hewitt Eton Boating Song w. William Johnson Cory m. Capt. Algernon Drummond Just Before the Battle, Mother by George F, root Mother Would Comfort Me w. m. Charles C. Sawyer Oh My Darling, Clementine by Percy Montrose & H S. Thompson Sweet and Low words by Alfred Tennyson, music by Joseph Barnby Tenting on the Old Camp Ground w. m. Walter Kittredge Weeping Sad And Lonely w. Charles Carroll Sawyer m. Henry Tucker When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again by Louis Lambert & Patrick Gilmore You Are Going to the Wars, Willie Boy. w. m. John Hill Hewitt The Young Volunteer w. m.1 in F major opus 18, Spartacus overture in E♭ major Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso Op
2.
1864 in music
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February 24 – Bedřich Smetanas symphonic poem Hakon Jarl premieres in Prague February 29 – Composer Gioachino Rossini celebrates his 72nd birthday with a party. December 17 – Jacques Offenbachs operetta La Belle Hélène receives its first performance at the Paris Variétés Hans von Bülow takes over from Franz Lachner at the Munich opera, anton Bruckner composes his Symphony No.0. Mili Balakirev begins his Symphony No.1 and it would not be performed till 1898. Beautiful Dreamer by Stephen Foster Der Deitchers Dog by Septimus Winner The Picture on the Wall by Henry Clay Work Pretty Polly Perkins of Paddington Green w. Harry Clifton m. traditional, shall We Gather at the River
3.
1866 in music
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January – Gabriel Fauré becomes organist at the Church of Saint-Sauveur, at Rennes in Brittany. March–December – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky writes his Symphony No, may 30 – Bedřich Smetanas opera The Bartered Bride debuts at the Provisional Theatre. August – Sir William Sterndale Bennett becomes Principal of the Royal Academy of Music in London, august 4 – First performance of Gabriel Faurés Cantique de Jean Racine. August 9 – Marie Trautmann marries fellow musician Alfred Jaëll, october 21 – Jacques Offenbachs operetta La Vie parisienne debuts in Paris at the Théâtre du Palais Royale. November 17 – Ambroise Thomass opera] Mignon debuts in Paris at the Opéra-Comique, theodore Thomas conducts the New York Philharmonic in the American premiere of the Prelude to Act 1 of Wagners Tristan und Isolde. Georges Bizet completes the opera La jolie fille de Perth, it is premiered the following year, claribel We Parted By The River w. m. William Shakespeare Hays When You and I Were Young, Maggie by James A. Butterfield & George Washington Johnson Write Me A Letter Home w. m
4.
1869 in music
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This article is about music-related events in 1869. February 28 - The premiere of Brahms Rinaldo took place in Vienna at a concert of the Akademischer Gesangverein, the composer conducted, with the tenor Gustav Walter, a student chorus numbering 300, and the Court Opera orchestra. April 3 – Edvard Griegs Piano Concerto is premiered at Copenhagens Casino, may 25 – The Vienna State Opera is inaugurated with a performance of Mozarts Don Giovanni. September 22 – Richard Wagners opera Das Rheingold debuts at the Königlich Hof- und Nationaltheater in Munich, approximate date – Start of golden age of flamenco. Tchaikovsky completes the initial version of Romeo and Juliet and it will be revised the next year and in 1880. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Six romances, Op
5.
1875 in music
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This article is about music-related events in 1875. January 5 – Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, designed by Charles Garnier, march 3 – Georges Bizets opera Carmen debuts, at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. May 6 – Richard Wagner conducts portions of Götterdämmerung in concert in Vienna, october 25 – The first performance of Tchaikovskys Piano Concerto No.1 is given in Boston, Massachusetts, with Hans von Bülow as soloist. Robert Volkmann becomes professor of harmony and counterpoint at the National Academy of Music in Budapest, composer Zdeněk Fibich marries operatic contralto Betty Hanušová, sister of his first wife Růžena Hanušová. Angels, Meet Me At the Cross Road w. m, will Hays Carve Dat Possum by Sam Lucas & Herbert Hershy Dreaming Forever of Thee w. m. John Hill Hewitt Ill Take You Home Again, Kathleen w. m,3, ballet Swan Lake Camille Saint-Saëns – Piano Concerto No.4 Má vlast – Six symphonic poems by Bedřich Smetana Carmen first performed in Paris. Music by Georges Bizet and libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, die Königin von Saba, music by Karl Goldmark and libretto by Salomon Mosenthal
6.
1876 in music
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This article is about music-related events in 1876. February – Baritone Lithgow James joins the English Opera Company, where he begins a partnership with his future wife Florence St. John, february 24 – Incidental music composed by Edvard Grieg for Henrik Ibsens Peer Gynt premieres. May 17 – Antonín Dvořák begins composing his Moravian Duets, august 16 – Richard Wagners Siegfried debuts in the new Bayreuth Festspielhaus. August 17 – Richard Wagners Götterdämmerung debuts in the new Bayreuth Festspielhaus, soprano Rosa Hasselbeck marries the conductor and composer Josef Sucher. Gabriel Faure - Violin Sonata No
7.
1877 in music
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This article is about music-related events in 1877. December 30 The premiere of Brahms Symphony No.2 is given in Vienna by the Vienna Philharmonic under the direction of Hans Richter, peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky marries Antonina Milyukova. Ludwig Thuille and Richard Strauss meet as students at Innsbruck, G. W. Hunt Chopsticks m. Arthur de Lulli Dear Old Pals w. m. G. W. Hunt Early In De Mornin w. m, will Hays In The Gloaming w. Meta Orred m. Annie Fortescue Harrison Little Daisys Request by Arabella M. Root The Lost Chord w. Adelaide Anne Procter m, leon Minkus – La Bayadère Joachim Raff – Violin Concerto no.2 op.206 in A minor Josef Rheinberger – Violin Sonata no.2 op
8.
1873 in art
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Events from the year 1873 in art. Early – Pre-Raphaelite painter Simeon Solomon is arrested in a urinal in London. May – Vincent van Gogh is re-located to London by his employer, monet, Renoir, Pissarro, and Sisley organize the Société Anonyme Coopérative des Artistes Peintres, Sculpteurs, Graveurs, etc. for the purpose of exhibiting artworks independently. The collection forming the Galleria Nazionale dellUmbria is moved to the Palazzo dei Priori, new Accademia delle Arti del Disegno established in Florence. Leslie Ward, as Spy, begins producing caricatures for the British magazine Vanity Fair
9.
1873 in architecture
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The year 1873 in architecture involved some significant architectural events and new buildings. Weltausstellung 1873 Wien, a fair in Vienna, is staged with the Rotunde as centrepiece. Architect for the exposition is Karl von Hasenauer, who is created Freiherr for his services, may 5 - Midland Grand Hotel in London, England, is substantially completed and opened, the largest hotel in the world at this time. August 22 - Garrett Theatre, Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, september 2 - The Berlin Victory Column in Berlin, Germany. September 29 - Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, Canada, Ørskog Church, Norway, by Jacob Wilhelm Nordan. Rua Augusta Arch in Lisbon, built to commemorate the citys reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake, trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, designed by H. H. Richardson
10.
1873
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As of the start of 1873, the Gregorian calendar was 12 days ahead of the Julian calendar, which remained in localized use until 1923. January 1 Japan adopts the Gregorian calendar, the California Penal Code goes into effect. January 17 – American Indian Wars, The First Battle of the Stronghold is fought during the Modoca War, February 11 – The Spanish Cortes deposes King Amadeus I and proclaims the First Spanish Republic. February 12 Emilio Castelar, the foreign minister, becomes prime minister of the new Spanish Republic. February 20 The University of California opens its first medical school in San Francisco, British Naval Officer John Morseby discovers the site of Port Moresby and claims the land for Britain. March 3 – Censorship, The United States Congress enacts the Comstock Law, making it illegal to send any obscene, lewd, march 4 – Ulysses S. Grant is sworn in for a second term as President of the United States. March 15 – The Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity is founded at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, march 19 – German Modernist composer Max Reger is born in Brand, Bavaria. March 22 – Emancipation Day for Puerto Rico, Slaves are freed, march 29 – The Rio Tinto Company is formed in Spain, following the February 17 purchase of the Rio Tinto mine from the Spanish government by a British investment group. April 1 – The British steamer RMS Atlantic sinks off Nova Scotia, april 4 – The Kennel Club, the worlds first kennel club, is founded in the United Kingdom. April 15–17 – American Indian Wars, The Second Battle of the Stronghold is fought, april 19 –11 perish in a train derailment due to a bridge washout in the village of Richmond Switch in Richmond, Rhode Island. May – Henry Rose exhibits barbed wire at an Illinois county fair, which is taken up by Joseph Glidden and Jacob Haish, may 5 – Battle of Eraul, Carlists under General Dorregaray defeat Republicans at Eraul, near Estella during the Third Carlist War. May 9 Der Gründerkrach, The Wiener Börse crash in Austria-Hungary ends the Gründerzeit and heralds the global Panic of 1873, the Battle of Montejurra at Navarra, Spain, is fought during the Third Carlist War. May 20 Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis receive United States patent#139121 for using copper rivets to strengthen the pockets of denim work pants, Levi Strauss & Co. begin manufacturing the famous Levis brand of jeans, using fabric from the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company in Manchester, New Hampshire. In Chipping Norton, England, rioters attempt to free the Ascott Martyrs –sixteen women sentenced to imprisonment for attempting to dissuade strikebreakers, may 23 The Canadian Parliament establishes the North-West Mounted Police. The Preakness Stakes horse race is run for the first time in Baltimore, may 27 Classical archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovers Priams Treasure. Laan brings order to the created by the dockworker riots of Tripoli. The city of Khiva falls to Imperial Russian forces, under the command of General Konstantin von Kaufman, june 4 – American Indian Wars, The Modoc War ends with the capture of Kintpuash. June 9 – Alexandra Palace in London is destroyed by only a fortnight after its opening
11.
Fisk Jubilee Singers
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The Fisk Jubilee Singers are an African-American a cappella ensemble, consisting of students at Fisk University. The first group was organized in 1871 to tour and raise funds for college and their early repertoire consisted mostly of traditional spirituals, but included some Stephen Foster songs. The original group toured along the Underground Railroad path in the United States, as well as performing in England, later 19th-century groups also toured in Europe. In 2002 the Library of Congress honored their 1909 recording of Swing Low, in 2008 they were awarded a National Medal of Arts. The Singers were organized as an effort for Fisk University. The five-year-old university was facing financial difficulty. To avert bankruptcy and closure, Fisks treasurer and music director, on October 6,1871, the group of students, consisting of two quartets and a pianist, started their U. S. tour under Whites direction. They first performed in Cincinnati, Ohio, over the next 18 months, the group toured through Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Washington, D. C. After a concert in Cincinnati, the group donated their small profit, as soprano Maggie Porter recalled, We had thirty dollars and sent every penny to Chicago and didn’t have anything for ourselves. The mayor of Chillicothe, Ohio, expressed thanks to these young colored people for their liberality in giving the proceeds of last evening’s concert to our relief fund for the Chicago sufferers. The group traveled on to Columbus, where lack of funding, poor hotel conditions, the group and their pastor, Henry Bennett, prayed about whether to continue with the tour. White went off to pray as well, he believed that they needed a name to capture audience attention, the next morning, he met with the singers and said Children, it shall be Jubilee Singers in memory of the Jewish year of Jubilee. This was a reference to Jubilee described in the book of Leviticus in the Bible, each fiftieth Pentecost was followed by a year of jubilee in which all slaves would be set free. Since most of the students at Fisk University and their families were freed slaves. The Jubilee Singers performances were a departure from the familiar black minstrel genre of white musicians performing in blackface. Those who have heard the burnt cork caricatures of negro minstrelsy have not the slightest conception of what it really is. Some could not understand the reason for enjoying so thoroughly as almost everyone did these simple unpretending songs, as the tour continued, audiences came to appreciate the singers voices, and the group began to be praised. After the rough start, the first United States tours eventually earned $40,000 for Fisk University and they gave a separate performance in Washington, D. C. for Vice President Schuyler Colfax and members of the U. S. Congress
12.
Queen Victoria
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Victoria was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she adopted the title of Empress of India. Victoria was the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, both the Duke of Kent and King George III died in 1820, and Victoria was raised under close supervision by her German-born mother Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. She inherited the throne aged 18, after her fathers three brothers had all died, leaving no surviving legitimate children. The United Kingdom was already a constitutional monarchy, in which the sovereign held relatively little direct political power. Privately, Victoria attempted to influence government policy and ministerial appointments, publicly, Victoria married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. Their nine children married into royal and noble families across the continent, tying them together, after Alberts death in 1861, Victoria plunged into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. As a result of her seclusion, republicanism temporarily gained strength and her Golden and Diamond Jubilees were times of public celebration. Her reign of 63 years and seven months is known as the Victorian era and it was a period of industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military change within the United Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire. She was the last British monarch of the House of Hanover and her son and successor, Edward VII, belonged to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the line of his father. Victorias father was Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, until 1817, Edwards niece, Princess Charlotte of Wales, was the only legitimate grandchild of George III. Her death in 1817 precipitated a crisis that brought pressure on the Duke of Kent. In 1818 he married Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, a widowed German princess with two children—Carl and Feodora —by her first marriage to the Prince of Leiningen and her brother Leopold was Princess Charlottes widower. The Duke and Duchess of Kents only child, Victoria, was born at 4.15 a. m. on 24 May 1819 at Kensington Palace in London. Victoria was christened privately by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Charles Manners-Sutton, on 24 June 1819 in the Cupola Room at Kensington Palace and she was baptised Alexandrina, after one of her godparents, Emperor Alexander I of Russia, and Victoria, after her mother. Additional names proposed by her parents—Georgina, Charlotte, and Augusta—were dropped on the instructions of the Dukes eldest brother, George, the Duke of Clarence and the Duke of Kent married on the same day in 1818, but both of Clarences daughters died as infants. Victorias father died in January 1820, when Victoria was less than a year old, a week later her grandfather died and was succeeded by his eldest son, George IV. The Duke of York died in 1827, when George IV died in 1830, he was succeeded by his next surviving brother, William IV, and Victoria became heir presumptive
13.
Arthur Sullivan
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Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan MVO was an English composer. He is best known for his series of 14 operatic collaborations with the dramatist W. S. Gilbert, Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. The best known of his hymns and songs include Onward Christian Soldiers, the son of a military bandmaster, Sullivan composed his first anthem at age eight. He was selected as soloist in the choir of the Chapel Royal. His graduation piece was a suite of music to Shakespeares The Tempest. When it was performed in London in 1862, it was an immediate sensation, Sullivan began his composing career with a series of ambitious works, interspersed with hymns, parlour ballads and other light pieces. Among his best received early pieces were a ballet, LÎle Enchantée, from 1861 to 1872, he supplemented his income by working as a church organist and music teacher, and writing hymns and songs. In 1866, Sullivan composed a comic opera, Cox and Box. His most successful work, the Overture di Ballo, premiered in 1870. Sullivans talent and native charm earned him friends in musical and social circles, including Queen Victorias son Alfred. In 1871, Sullivan wrote his first opera with W. S. Gilbert, Sullivan then produced his Festival Te Deum, an oratorio, The Light of the World, and incidental music for West End productions of several Shakespeare plays. He also had conducting and academic appointments, in 1875, producer Richard DOyly Carte reunited Gilbert and Sullivan to create a one-act piece, Trial by Jury, which was a surprise hit. Pinafore became a sensation, as did The Pirates of Penzance and Patience. Sullivan never married but had a love affair with an American socialite. After the death of his brother Fred in 1877, Sullivan supported Freds large family financially for the rest of his life, effectively adopting his nephew Bertie. Carte used his profits from the Gilbert and Sullivan partnership to build the Savoy Theatre in 1881, later hits in the series were Iolanthe, The Mikado, The Yeomen of the Guard and The Gondoliers. Sullivan was knighted for his contributions to music in 1883 and his infrequent serious pieces during the 1880s included two cantatas, The Martyr of Antioch and The Golden Legend, his most popular choral work. Sullivans only serious opera, Ivanhoe, though successful in 1891, was little-heard after that
14.
The Light of the World (Sullivan)
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The Light of the World is an oratorio composed in 1873 by Arthur Sullivan. Sullivan wrote the libretto with the assistance of George Grove, based on the New Testament, the story of the oratorio narrates the whole life of Christ, focusing on his deeds on Earth as preacher, healer and prophet. The oratorio was inspired by William Holman Hunts popular 1853–54 painting, the work was first performed at the Birmingham Festival on 27 August 1873 and was the composers second oratorio, the first being The Prodigal Son. Historian Michael Ainger suggests that the idea for the libretto of The Light of the World came to Sullivan when he viewed a chapel near Norwich, England, composing the oratorio occupied Sullivan during much of 1873. Sullivans introduction to the work says that, unlike Handels Messiah, during the rehearsal period, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, announced his engagement to the Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of Russia, daughter of Tsar Alexander II. The Duke and Duchess married in 1874, Sullivan was a friend of the Dukes, and upon learning of the betrothal, he sought and received permission to dedicate the oratorio to Grand Duchess Marie. The Duke was present at the premiere at the Birmingham Festival on 27 August 1873, the soloists were Thérèse Tietjens, Zelia Trebelli-Bettini, John Sims Reeves and Charles Santley. As Sullivan appeared on the platform to conduct his new work, he was met with a hearty, the last outgrowth of his genius leaves far behind all that preceded it, reported The Times. The President of the Festival, the Earl of Shrewsbury, publicly congratulated the composer at the end of the performance, Sullivan was presented with a handsome silver cup and a considerable sum of money after the premiere, and he derived income from the sale of scores. Nevertheless, his earnings from the oratorio amounted to a small sum compared with the fortune that he would make from composing the Savoy operas with W. S. Gilbert. After its premiere in Birmingham, performances followed in other towns, the Light of the World was widely performed throughout Great Britain and elsewhere during Sullivans lifetime. Since then it has seldom been performed, and there is no recording of the oratorio. Sullivan took on a task in retracing the ground covered by Handels Messiah. The Observer wrote, The oratorio is one of imagination, of not only clever ideas, the orchestra is handled throughout in a manner which only one who is fully acquainted with each instrument, its individual capabilities, and its effect in combination, is able to appreciate. The instrumentation is never obtrusive, but it is delicate and expressive. The vocal parts, solo and choral, exhibit great talent in treatment, and, considering the nature of the subject, are written with considerable variety. In conclusion The Light of the World is a great production, to say that in the face of these he has held his own ground, if he has not encroached on theirs, is to bestow praise of the highest significance. Even steers clear of that rock, Mendelssohn, upon which so many fair
15.
William Holman Hunt
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William Holman Hunt OM was an English painter and one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. His paintings were notable for their attention to detail, vivid color. These features were influenced by the writings of John Ruskin and Thomas Carlyle, for Hunt it was the duty of the artist to reveal the correspondence between sign and fact. Of all the members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Hunt remained most true to their ideals throughout his career and he was always keen to maximize the popular appeal and public visibility of his works. After eventually entering the Royal Academy art schools, having initially been rejected and he formed the Pre-Raphaelite movement in 1848, after meeting the poet and artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Along with John Everett Millais they sought to revitalise art by emphasising the detailed observation of the world in a spirit of quasi-religious devotion to truth. This religious approach was influenced by the qualities of medieval art. He had many pupils including Robert Braithwaite Martineau, after a failed engagement to his model Annie Miller, he married Fanny Waugh, who later modelled for the figure of Isabella. When she died in childbirth in Italy, he sculpted her tomb at Fiesole, having it brought down to the English Cemetery in Florence and he had a close connection with St. Marks Church in Florence, and paid for the communion chalice inscribed in memory of his wife and his second wife, Edith, was Fannys sister. At the time it was illegal in Great Britain to marry ones deceased wifes sister, hunts works were not initially successful, and were widely attacked in the art press for their alleged clumsiness and ugliness. He achieved some note for his intensely naturalistic scenes of modern rural and urban life, such as The Hireling Shepherd. Hunt also painted works based on poems, such as Isabella. He eventually built his own house in Jerusalem and he eventually had to relinquish painting because failing eyesight meant that he could not achieve the quality that he wanted. His last major works, including a version of The Light of the World, were completed with the help of his assistant. Hunt died on 7 September 1910 and was buried in St Pauls Cathedral in London, Hunt published an autobiography in 1905. Many of his writings are attempts to control the interpretation of his work. That year, he was appointed to the Order of Merit by King Edward VII, at the end of his life he lived in Sonning-on-Thames
16.
Birmingham Triennial Music Festival
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The Birmingham Triennial Musical Festival, in Birmingham, England, founded in 1784, was the longest-running classical music festival of its kind. It last took place in 1912, the first music festival, over three days in September 1768, was to help raise funds to complete the new General Hospital on Summer Lane. It proved to be popular and successful, but it took another event in 1778 to achieve the funds required. From September 1784 the performances became a permanent feature and ran every three years, becoming the Birmingham Triennial Musical Festival, still with the aim of raising funds for the hospital. Originally hosted in St Philips Church or the Theatre Royale on New Street the available venues became too small for the festival, as a result, the Birmingham Town Hall was built, and opened in 1834 to house it. The festival for 1832 was delayed by two years during its erection, vocal works were generally sung in English. Hans Richter was appointed conductor in 1885. He appeared in the festival, playing his first Piano Concerto. For the 1846 festival he composed and conducted the premiere of his oratorio Elijah, Elijah was played at every successive festival. In 1873 the Festival commissioned Arthur Sullivan who composed his oratorio The Light of the World, the 1879 Festival commissioned a work from Max Bruch, Das Lied von der Glocke. In 1882 Charles Gounod was commissioned and produced Redemption, which was performed twice, in 1885 Antonín Dvořák provided The Spectres Bride and Gounod provided Mors et Vita. In 1891 Dvořáks commission delivered his Requiem for £650,1900 saw the commission The Dream of Gerontius from Edward Elgar. It was not sung well but was applauded and well reviewed as a composition. He returned in 1903 with The Apostles, and 1906 with The Kingdom and his commission for 1912 created The Music Makers, incorporating themes from the Enigma Variations, Gerontius, his violin concerto, and The Apostles. The principal conductor for 1912 was Henry Wood, the 1909 and 1912 festivals ran at a loss, providing no donation to the General Hospital. World War I marked the end of the Triennial Festivals
17.
Joseph Parry
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Joseph Parry was a Welsh composer and musician. Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, he is best known as the composer of Myfanwy and the hymn tune Aberystwyth, Parry was also the first Welshman to compose an opera, his composition, Blodwen, was the first opera in the Welsh language. Born into a family, Parry left school to work in the local coal mines when he was nine years of age. He then went to work at the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, where his father was also employed, in 1854 the family emigrated to the United States, settling at Danville, Pennsylvania, where Parry again found employment at an iron works. Though Parry had a great interest in music, he had no opportunity to study it there was a temporary closure of the Rough. Some of his co-workers were also musicians, and they offered music lessons while the works was closed. Parry joined a music sight-reading class taught by one of the men and he continued to study harmony with another co-worker, and learned how to read and write while he was learning about harmony. Parry soon began submitting compositions to eisteddfodau in Wales and the United States, during a return visit to Wales for the National Eisteddfod at Llandudno, Parry was offered two music scholarships, but was unable to accept due to family obligations. A fund was established for the support of Parry and his family while he studied music, Parry went on to receive a Doctorate in Music from the University of Cambridge, he was the first Welshman to receive Bachelors and Doctors degrees in music from the University. He returned to Wales in 1874 to become the first Professor of Music at Aberystwyth University, Parry was born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1841, the seventh of eight children of Daniel and Elizabeth Parry. The family was musically inclined, with all members singing in the chapel choir. He left school at age nine to work in the mines as the family needed the income, young Parry worked a 56 hour week for twelve and a half pence while at the mine. By age 12, Parry was working at the furnaces of the Cyfarthfa Ironworks. Parrys father, Daniel, emigrated to the United States in 1853, like his father and brother, Parry became a worker at the Rough and Ready Iron Works in Danville, Pennsylvania. Danville had a large Welsh community and he involved in strengthening Welsh culture locally, attending the Congregational Chapel. Parry also served as the organist for the Mahoning Presbyterian Church in Danville, although he had sung in church choirs in Wales and the United States, Parry received no formal music lessons until he was 17 and living in Danville. Parrys opportunity to study music came in the form of a closure of the iron works where he was employed. Parry had the fortune to become friendly with three fellow workers who were also musicians
18.
University of Wales
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The University of Wales was a confederal university based in Cardiff, Wales, UK. The university was the second largest university in the UK, a federal university similar to the University of London, the University of Wales, UK was in charge of examining students, while its colleges were in charge of teaching. Historically, the University of Wales was the university in Wales until the establishment of the University of Glamorgan in 1992. In recent years, it announced its intention to merge with the University of Wales, Lampeter, Trinity University College, in 2007, the University of Wales changed from a federal structure to a confederal one and many of the constituent colleges became independent universities. As a result of a number of controversies in the late 2000s involving overseas affiliates and student visas and this process is projected to be completed in 2017. Prior to the foundation of the university, these three colleges had prepared students for the examinations of the University of London. A fourth college, Swansea, was added in 1920 and in 1931 the Welsh National School of Medicine was incorporated, in 1967 the Welsh College of Advanced Technology entered the federal university as the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, also in Cardiff. In 1971 St Davids College, Wales oldest degree-awarding institution, suspended its own degree-awarding powers, a financial crisis in the late eighties caused UWIST and University College Cardiff to merge in 1988, forming the University of Wales College of Cardiff. In 1992 the university lost its position as the university in Wales when the Polytechnic of Wales became the University of Glamorgan. The existing colleges became constituent institutions and the two new member institutions became university colleges, in 2003, both of these colleges became full constituent institutions and in 2004 UWCN received permission from the Privy Council to change its name to the University of Wales, Newport. Cardiff University and the University of Wales College of Medicine merged on 1 August 2004, the merged institution, known as Cardiff University, ceased to be a constituent institution and joined a new category of Affiliated/Linked Institutions. At the same time, the university admitted four new institutions, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama subsequently left the university in January 2007. In November 2008, Aberystwyth, Bangor and Swansea Universities decided to exercise their right to students to study for their own awarded degrees. In October, the University announced that it would cease validating courses and this led to calls from the vice chancellors of the universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Glamorgan and Swansea for the University of Wales to be wound up. It was announced later in October that the University of Wales would be effectively abolished, which itself merged with Swansea Metropolitan University on 1 August 2013. At present, the University of Wales is still functioning in its own right, the administrative office of the University of Wales is located in Cardiffs Civic Centre. It runs a highly rated research centre, the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, the first edition of Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, which has the same status for Welsh as the OED does for English, was completed in 2002, eighty-two years after it had been started. The University of Wales Press was founded in 1922 and publishes around seventy books a year in both English and Welsh, the university also has a study and conference centre at Gregynog, near Newtown
19.
Aberystwyth
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Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre, and holiday resort within Ceredigion, West Wales, often colloquially known as Aber. It is located near the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol, historically part of Cardiganshire, since the late 19th century, Aberystwyth has also been a major Welsh educational centre, with the establishment of a university college there in 1872. At the 2001 census, the population was 15,935. During nine months of the year, there is an influx of students—to a total number of 10,400 as of September 2012, including the suburbs of Llanbadarn Fawr, the population is 16,420. The town is situated near the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol, although the name may seem to suggest otherwise, only the River Rheidol passes through the town, following the reconstruction of the harbour, the River Ystwyth skirts the town. Today, it comprises a number of different areas, Aberystwyth town, Llanbadarn Fawr, Waunfawr, Llanbadarn, Trefechan. Aberystwyth is a town, considering the population density of the United Kingdom. The Welsh capital, Cardiff, is over 100 miles away, London is 210 miles distant from Aberystwyth. Aberystwyth experiences a climate similar to almost all of the United Kingdom. This is particularly pronounced due to its west coast location facing the Irish Sea, air undergoes little land moderation and so temperatures closely reflect the sea temperature when winds are coming from the predominant onshore direction. The nearest Met Office weather station is Gogerddan,3 miles to the northeast, the absolute maximum temperature is 34.6 °C, set during July 2006. Typically the warmest day will average 28.0 °C and 5.6 days will achieve a maximum of 25.1 °C or above, the absolute minimum temperature is −13.5 °C, set in January 2010. Typically 39.8 days will register an air frost, rainfall averages 1,112 mm a year, with over 1mm recorded on 161 days. All averages refer to the 1971–2000 period, Aberystwyth is a tourist destination, and forms a cultural link between North Wales and South Wales. Constitution Hill, scaled by the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, gives access to views and to other attractions at the summit. Scenic Mid Wales landscape within easy reach of the town includes the wilderness of the Cambrian Mountains, whose valleys contain forests, a convenient way to access the interior is by the preserved narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway. Although the town is modern, there are a number of historic buildings, including the remains of the castle. The Old College was originally built and opened in 1865 as a hotel, the new university campus overlooks Aberystwyth from Penglais Hill to the east of the town centre
20.
Therese Malten
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Therese Malten was the stage name of Therese Müller, a well-known German dramatic soprano. She was born at Insterburg, East Prussia, studied with Gustav Engel in Berlin, in 1882 Richard Wagner selected her as the original Kundry in Parsifal. This article incorporates text from a now in the public domain, Gilman. Thurston, H. T. Colby, F. M. eds. article name needed
21.
The Magic Flute
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The Magic Flute, K.620, is an opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a form that included both singing and spoken dialogue. The work premiered on 30 September 1791 at Schikaneders theatre, the Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna, separately, then together, Tamino and Pamina undergo severe trials of initiation, which end in triumph, with the Queen and her cohorts vanquished. The earthy Papageno, who accompanies Tamino on his quest, fails the trials completely but is rewarded anyway with the hand of his female companion Papagena. The opera was the culmination of a period of increasing involvement by Mozart with Schikaneders theatrical troupe, Mozart was a close friend of one of the singer-composers of the troupe, tenor Benedikt Schack, and had contributed to the compositions of the troupe, which were often collaboratively written. Mozarts participation increased with his contributions to the 1790 collaborative opera Der Stein der Weisen, like The Magic Flute, Der Stein der Weisen was a fairy-tale opera and can be considered a kind of precursor, it employed much the same cast in similar roles. The libretto for The Magic Flute, written by Schikaneder, is thought by scholars to be based on many sources, especially for the role of Papageno, the libretto draws on the Hanswurst tradition of the Viennese popular theatre. Many scholars also acknowledge an influence of Freemasonry, for detailed discussion of sources see Branscombe, as well as Libretto of The Magic Flute. In composing the opera, Mozart evidently kept in mind the skills of the intended for the premiere. Thus, the lines for Papageno—sung by Schikaneder himself—and Monostatos are often stated first in the strings so the singer can find his pitch. In contrast, Mozarts sister-in-law Josepha Hofer, who premiered the role of the Queen of the Night, evidently needed little such help, in ensembles, Mozart skillfully combined voices of different ability levels. The vocal ranges of two of the singers for whom Mozart tailored his music have posed challenges for many singers who have since recreated their roles. Both arias of the Queen of the Night, O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn and Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen require high F6, rare in opera. At the low end, the part of Sarastro, premiered by Franz Xaver Gerl, the opera was premiered in Vienna on 30 September 1791 at the suburban Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden. Mozart conducted the orchestra, Schikaneder himself played Papageno, while the role of the Queen of the Night was sung by Mozarts sister-in-law Josepha Hofer, as Mozarts letters show, he was very pleased to have achieved such a success. Solomon continues, Mozarts delight is reflected in his last three letters, written to Constanze, who with her sister Sophie was spending the week of October in Baden. I have this moment returned from the opera, which was as full as ever, he wrote on 7 October, but what always gives me the most pleasure is the silent approval. You can see how this opera is becoming more and more esteemed, … He went to hear his opera almost every night, taking along relatives
22.
Gus Williams (vaudeville)
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Gus Williams was a popular American comedian and songwriter. Gustave Wilhelm Leweck, Jr. was born on July 19,1848, while in his early teens Williams left home to seek adventure in the American West. He made it as far as Indiana where circumstances deemed it necessary for the boy to work as a farmhand. On August 12,1862, fourteen-year-old Williams left farm work behind, Williams, who was probably a drummer boy, soon became popular in the service providing entertainment that helped alleviate the daily boredom of camp life. He first took to the stage on November,14,1864, during the Union Army’s occupation of Huntsville, ashton’s Dramatic Company playing Carney in The Pirate Legacy, The Wrecker’s Fate by Charles H. Saunders. Three years after the end, Williams joined Tony Pastor’s vaudeville show where he would remain throughout his twenties. With Pastor he became popular as a Dutch-style comedian performing skits, two of his more popular tunes from that period were Keiser Do You Want to Buy a Dog. and Dot Little German Band. Around 1879 Williams began touring in German farce comedies such as Our German Senator, One of the Finest, Keppler’s Fortunes, April Fool, in 1885 he assumed his stage name, Gus Williams, as his permanent legal name. At the peak of his career Williams became active in the campaign to better the wages of players and was the first to demand. Williams continued to work well into his sixties though eventually no longer as a headliner, upon leaving the telegraph office Williams pulled out a pistol and shot himself in the temple. There was no note, leaving family and friends to speculate on why he ended his life, though health issues. Free scores by Gus Williams at the International Music Score Library Project
23.
Henry Hart (musician)
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Henry Hart was an African-American musician. Henry Hart was born on June 8,1839 in Frankfort and his father, Frederick Hart, was born in Boone County, Kentucky, and his mother, Judith Brown, in Frankfort. Possibly the only source of this parental information is Henry Harts death certificate. One nineteenth-century source of information about Harts early years is an article in The Pacific Appeal, San Francisco, California, October 25,1879. The composer of some of the most popular songs of the latter day negro minstrels well known in this city as Henry Hart. Henry Hart was born. of free parents, in 1853 he left Frankfort and went to Cleveland. There he learned to play the violin, and was a member of Stantons band of white musicians, in 1864 he left for New Orleans, playing his way down the river on one of the fine steamers. In that city he played for several months as first violinist in Prescotts Museum and he there married his wife, who was a professional pianist, and who played with him in various places in that city until 1867, when he removed to Evansville. These census records indicate that in 1860 the Hart family lived near Cleveland in Lorain County, the 1866 city directory of New Orleans lists Henry Hart as living at 98 Felicity Street. It seems likely that in 1866, the name of Prescotts Museum was Burnell & Prescotts Museum and Zoological Institute. Henry Harts wife, Sarah F. Hart, was born September 6,1849, according to her death certificate, she was born in Indiana to John Smith, birthplace unknown, and Angline Mason, born in Arkansas. During the years that Henry Hart resided in Evansville, his compositions were published, the title page is headed by the name Billy Emerson with a large picture of Emerson. Beneath are titles of four songs, of which the fourth is Those Charming Feet and those Charming Feet can be downloaded from American Sheet Music, Library of Congress. My Thoughts Are of Thee, song and chorus, piano, Root & Cady, Chicago,1871 The front cover indicates that the words are by Frank Manson Gilbert, both Gilbert and Goslee were well known residents of Evansville. Indeed, Gilbert was a humorist, local historian, editor and my Thoughts Are of Thee can be downloaded from American Sheet Music, Library of Congress. Idlewild Mazurka, piano solo, Root & Cady, Chicago,1871 Dedicated to Capt, in 1874, Fowler was captain of the riverboat Robert Mitchell, owned by the Evansville and New Orleans Packet Co. The title refers to a location near Ligonier, Indiana, near the Ohio River and it became Idlewild Park in 1878. Idlewild Mazurka can be downloaded from American Sheet Music, Library of Congress
24.
Home on the Range
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Home on the Range is a classic western folk song, sometimes called the unofficial anthem of the American West. The lyrics were written by Dr. Brewster M. Higley of Smith County, Kansas in a poem entitled My Western Home in the early 1840s to 1927. In 1947, it became the song of the U. S. state of Kansas. In 2010, members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time, the poem was first published in a December 1840s to 1927 issue of the Smith County Pioneer under the title My Western Home. The music was written by Daniel E. Kelley, a carpenter. Higleys original words are similar to those of the version of the song, but not identical. The song was adopted by ranchers, cowboys, and other western settlers. During the early 20th century, it was arranged by Texas composer David W. Guion, the song has since gone by a number of names, the most common being Home on the Range and Western Home. It was officially adopted as the song of Kansas on June 30,1947. The antelope referred to in the song is not a true species, but rather the American pronghorn. The most popular version of the song was the version by Bing Crosby in 1933 which appeared in the charts of the day. This turned a little-known saddle song into a most renowned western hymn, the origin of Home on the Range was obscure and widely debated at the time. It was published in 1910, in Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads by John Lomax who said he learned it from a black saloonkeeper in Texas, in 1925 a sheet-music arrangement found some popularity and in 1927 Vernon Dalhart recorded it for Brunswick Records. Californias radio cowboys picked it up from him, and in 1930 Hollywoods first crooning western star, Ken Maynard, however, it was not until the Crosby version that the song was seen as a national anthem for the west. Its popularity led to a suit that created a search for its background. Giddins praises Crosbys subtle embellishments which enhance the melody, president Franklin D. Roosevelt acknowledged Home on the Range as his favorite song. Bing Crosby recorded the song again in 1938 and 1939, frank Sinatra also recorded the song on March 10,1946, his version was released in Great Britain and was not available in the United States until 1993. Others who have recorded the song include Connie Francis, Gene Autry, Burl Ives, Pete Seeger, Johnnie Ray, Slim Whitman, Home on the Range is often performed in programs and concerts of American patriotic music, and is frequently used in plays and films
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Brewster Higley
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Brewster Martin Higley VI was an otolaryngologist who became famous for writing The Western Home. Born in Rutland, Ohio, the grandson of Rutlands founder Brewster Higley IV, Higley VI began studying medicine at La Porte Medical College in La Porte, after graduating in 1849, he resettled in Pomeroy, Ohio and established his first medical practice. He briefly practiced medicine in Indiana and finally moved to Kansas in 1871 to claim land under the Homestead Act of 1862, Dr. Higley married five times and fathered several children. His first three marriages are reported to have ended tragically when his wives succumbed to injury or disease, following the dissolution of his first three marriages, Brewster married Mrs. Mercy Ann McPherson, a widow, on February 28,1866. The two had a relationship, and Dr. Higley felt compelled to leave his children with relatives in Illinois. He found his way to Smith County in 1871 and his marriage to Mrs. McPherson dissolved by default on February 9,1875, one month later, on March 8,1875, he married Sarah Clemons, his final wife. Maria Winchell Higley, died in 1852 from disease Eleanor Page Higley and it is reported that Eleanor may have taken their child and left Dr. Higley to live with her previous husband, David A. Smith. She likely died between 1867 and 1870, after she had already left Brewster, catherine Livingston Higley, mother of Estella and Arthur Herman, injured in 1864 and died subsequently. Mrs. Mercy Ann McPherson, Higley quite literally ran from the marriage in 1871 to move to Kansas. Brewster spent most of his days in Kansas, but died in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1911. Home on the Range at Kansas State Historical Society
26.
Silver Threads Among the Gold
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Silver Threads Among the Gold, first copyrighted in 1873, was a popular song in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today it is a standard of barbershop quartet singing, the story developed after the unveiling of a monument here in honor of the author of the words, Eben E. Rexford, who died in 1916. Rexford made a living by writing verse and flower and garden articles for magazines. When he was 18, he wrote and sold for $3 some verses entitled “Growing Old. ”Later, H. P. Danks, composer of the music for “Silver Threads, Rexford dug into his scrapbook and revised “Growing Old. Rexford submitted nine songs and received $18.00, but no accounting of which six had been accepted or which three had been rejected. In telling the story of the song, Rexford said that he didnt know whether he had been paid $3.00 for it or nothing, Rexford first heard the song when a company of Oneida Indians gave a concert in Shiocton, Wisconsin, and sang it there. The sheer popularity of the song can be illustrated, among other ways, for example, in 1932, it won a poll of WABC listeners asked to name their favorite songs, despite its being 60 years old. The song was the most frequently recorded song of the recording era. The lyrics are as follows, Darling, I am growing old, Silver threads among the gold, Shine upon my brow today, Life is fading fast away. But, my darling, you will be, Always young and fair to me, Yes, my darling, you will be Always young and fair to me. Chorus, Darling, I am growing old, Silver threads among the gold, Shine upon my brow today, when your hair is silver white, And your cheeks no longer bright, With the roses of the May, I will kiss your lips and say, Oh. My darling, mine alone, alone, You have never older grown. Yes, my darling, mine alone, You have never older grown. chorus In the late 19th century Eben Rexford wrote a number of published in the magazine Girls of Today. In 1876, three years after the publication of the song, Mattie Dyers Britts published a story in Girls of Today entitled “Silver Threads Among the Gold. ”The metaphor of silver threads was used in an Italian song of the time, “Threads of Silver, ” but the theme of that song is different from the theme of “Silver Threads Among the Gold. ”In the Italian song. The Swedish journalist and revue producer Emil Norlander wrote Swedish lyrics to Dankss melody in the early 20th century, norlanders version has no contextual similarity to that of Rexford and is instead an appeal for peace. It is titled Varför skola mänskor strida. and has remained popular in Sweden to the present, there were also Norwegian versions of the Rexford–Danks song that were popular in Norway and America. In 1919 Carsten Woll recorded a translation, Sommersol til siste stund, Silver Threads Among the Gold - Lead sheet at wikifonia. org. Sommersol til siste stund and Ungdoms mynder, Varför skola mänskor strida, Swedish adaptation by Emil Norlander
27.
Eben E. Rexford
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Eben Eugene Rexford was an American writer and poet, and author of lyrics to popular and gospel songs. Born in Johnsburg, New York, he moved with his family to Ellington and his first poems were published in the New York Ledger when Rexford was 14. Among the many songs he wrote, Rexford is best remembered for the lyrics to Silver Threads Among the Gold which were set to music by Hart Pease Danks and this song was one of the first items to be recorded mechanically. Another poem which has had continuing popularity is “The Ride of Paul Venarez, ” which is considered to be a “cowboy poem and it has been turned into a song, “Billy Venero, ” and has a colorful history. Most of his books were about gardening, in addition, he wrote many poems and stories. He worked with the Ladies Home Journal for 14 years, after leaving that magazine, he wrote for American Homes and Gardens, House and Gardens, and American Home Monthly. His articles also appeared frequently in Lippincotts and Outing, rexfords fiction was published stories by Beadle and Adams and other periodical publishers. He was a member of the Chicago Press Club and the Authors Club of Boston, for more than 20 years he served as organist at the Congregational Church of Shiocton, WI. Following many years as Town Clerk at Bovina, he died in Green Bay and was buried at Bovina Cemetery. Eben E. Rexford received a doctorate from his alma mater, Lawrence University, in 1908. Brother and Lover, a Woman’s Story, Home Floriculture, a Familiar Guide to the Treatment of Flowering and Other Ornamental Plants in the House and Garden. The American Pure Food Cook Book and Household Economist, into the Light, The Story of a Boys Influence, and India, The Story of a Famine. The Home Garden, a Book on Vegetable and Small-fruit Growing, Amateur Garden Craft, A Book for the Home-maker and Garden Lover. New York, London, Harper & Brothers, Philadelphia, G. W. Jacobs & Company. The Home Garden, a Book on Vegetable and Small-fruit Growing, scientific American, Nov.19,1892, p.326. Regular columns in the Ladies’ Home Journal titled “Talks About Flowers, ” and “Floral Department, ” and “All About Flowers. ”Lippincotts, Vol.69, Mar.1902, Lippincotts, Vol.71, Mar.1903, pp. 383–8. “Down in the Meadows” a poem, “A Year and a Day” a poem. “Blind, ” in Girls of Today, Volume I, No.1, “Miss Professor Jones, ” in Girls of Today, Volume 1, No.7
28.
Hart Pease Danks
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Hart Pease Danks was a musician who specialized in composing, singing and leading choral groups. He is best known for his 1873 composition, Silver Threads Among the Gold, born in New Haven, Connecticut, Danks moved with his family to Saratoga Springs, New York when he was eight. He studied music with Dr. E. Whiting, later moving to Chicago, in 1858, he married Hattie R. Colahan. In 1864, he moved to New York City, in 1873, he published his best known song, Silver Threads Among the Gold, which sold over three million copies. Having sold the rights to it, though, he died penniless in a house in Philadelphia, his last written words. His widow died, alone, in 1924, Danks is buried at Kensico Cemetery, in Valhalla, New York. Pease Danks was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and his works also include several operettas, including Zanie and Pauline, or the Belle of Saratoga. Other lyricists who Danks worked with included Samuel N. Mitchell, in 1892, he published Superior Anthems for Church Choirs, and himself wrote numerous church hymns. Hart Pease Danks at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Free scores by Hart Pease Danks at the International Music Score Library Project
29.
Johannes Brahms
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Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg into a Lutheran family, Brahms spent much of his life in Vienna. Brahms composed for orchestra, chamber ensembles, piano, organ. A virtuoso pianist, he premiered many of his own works and he worked with some of the leading performers of his time, including the pianist Clara Schumann and the violinist Joseph Joachim. Many of his works have become staples of the concert repertoire. An uncompromising perfectionist, Brahms destroyed some of his works and left others unpublished, Brahms has been considered, by his contemporaries and by later writers, as both a traditionalist and an innovator. His music is rooted in the structures and compositional techniques of the Classical masters. While many contemporaries found his music too academic, his contribution and craftsmanship have been admired by subsequent figures as diverse as Arnold Schoenberg, the diligent, highly constructed nature of Brahmss works was a starting point and an inspiration for a generation of composers. Embedded within his meticulous structures, however, are deeply romantic motifs, Brahmss father, Johann Jakob Brahms, was from the town of Heide in Holstein. The family name was sometimes spelt Brahmst or Brams, and derives from Bram. Against the familys will, Johann Jakob pursued a career in music, arriving in Hamburg in 1826, where he work as a jobbing musician. In 1830, he married Johanna Henrika Christiane Nissen, a seamstress 17 years older than he was, in the same year he was appointed as a horn player in the Hamburg militia. Eventually he became a player in the Hamburg Stadttheater and the Hamburg Philharmonic Society. As Johann Jakob prospered, the family moved over the years to better accommodation in Hamburg. Johannes Brahms was born in 1833, his sister Elisabeth had been born in 1831, Fritz also became a pianist, overshadowed by his brother he emigrated to Caracas in 1867, and later returned to Hamburg as a teacher. Johann Jakob gave his son his first musical training, Johannes also learnt to play the violin, from 1840 he studied piano with Otto Friedrich Willibald Cossel. Cossel complained in 1842 that Brahms could be such a good player, at the age of 10, Brahms made his debut as a performer in a private concert including Beethovens quintet for piano and winds Op.16 and a piano quartet by Mozart. He also played as a solo work an étude of Henri Herz, by 1845 he had written a piano sonata in G minor
30.
Variations on a Theme by Haydn
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It consists of a theme in B♭ major based on a Chorale St Antoni, eight variations, and a finale. The work was published in two versions, for two pianos, written first but designated Op. 56b, and for orchestra, designated Op. 56a, the orchestral version is better known and much more often heard than the two-piano version. The piece usually takes about 18 minutes to perform, the first performance of the orchestral version was given on 2 November 1873 by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under Brahmss baton. Brahms composed the work on a theme entitled Chorale St. Antoni found in a wind ensemble composition, at the time Brahms discovered it, the wind ensemble piece carried an attribution to the composer Joseph Haydn. Subsequent research has concluded that the wind piece Brahms used as a source does not fit Haydns style, today the wind ensemble piece remains without clear attribution. The situation has led to Brahmss piece being referred to today in recordings, a detailed survey of the controversy can be found in Douglas Yeos 2004 edition of the Haydn piece. The second movement bore the heading St. Anthony Chorale, and it is this movement which, in its entirety, Brahmss statement of the theme varies in small but significant ways from the original, principally with regard to instrumentation. Some sources state the Divertimento was probably written by Ignaz Pleyel, a further question is whether the composer of the divertimento actually wrote the St. Anthony Chorale or simply quoted an older theme taken from an unknown source. To date, no mention of a St. Anthony Chorale has been found. The theme begins with a repeated ten-measure passage which consists of two intriguing five-measure phrases, a quirk that is likely to have caught Brahmss attention. Almost without exception, the eight variations follow the structure of the theme and, though less strictly. Each has a character, several calling to mind the forms and techniques of earlier eras. The finale is a magnificent theme and variations on a bass, five measures in length. Its culmination, a restatement of the chorale, is a moment of transcendence that the usually austere Brahms permits himself the use of a triangle. Just before the end of the piece, in the coda of the finale, the reader may compare the two passages by following these links, Brahms, Haydn. This fragmentary allusion may be the sole link to Haydn. The sections are named and tempo markings given as follows, where the tempo markings of the two versions differ, the one for Op. 56b is shown in parentheses. Andante con moto Variation V. Vivace Variation VI, andante This is a performance of the version for two pianos
31.
Anton Bruckner
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Josef Anton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, strongly polyphonic character. Bruckners compositions helped to define contemporary musical radicalism, owing to their dissonances, unprepared modulations, unlike other musical radicals such as Richard Wagner and Hugo Wolf who fit the enfant terrible mould, Bruckner showed extreme humility before other musicians, Wagner in particular. This apparent dichotomy between Bruckner the man and Bruckner the composer hampers efforts to describe his life in a way that gives a straightforward context for his music. On the other hand, Bruckner was greatly admired by subsequent composers including his friend Gustav Mahler, Anton Bruckner was born in Ansfelden on 4 September 1824. The ancestors of Bruckners family were farmers and craftsmen, their history can be traced to as far back as the 16th century and they lived near a bridge south of Sindelburg, which led to their being called Pruckhner an der Pruckhen. Bruckners grandfather was appointed schoolmaster in Ansfelden in 1776, this position was inherited by Bruckners father, Anton Bruckner senior and it was a poorly paid but well-respected position in the rural environment. Music was a part of the curriculum, and Bruckners father was his first music teacher. Bruckner learned to play the organ early as a child and he entered school when he was six, proved to be a hard-working student, and was promoted to upper class early. While studying, Bruckner also helped his father in teaching the other children, after Bruckner received his confirmation in 1833, Bruckners father sent him to another school in Hörsching. The schoolmaster, Johann Baptist Weiß, was a music enthusiast, here, Bruckner completed his school education and learned to play the organ excellently. Around 1835 Bruckner wrote his first composition, a Pange lingua – one of the compositions which he revised at the end of his life, when his father became ill, Anton returned to Ansfelden to help him in his work. Bruckners father died in 1837, when Bruckner was 13 years old, the teachers position and house were given to a successor, and Bruckner was sent to the Augustinian monastery in Sankt Florian to become a choirboy. In addition to practice, his education included violin and organ lessons. Bruckner was in awe of the great organ, which was built during the late baroque era and rebuilt in 1837. Later, the organ was to be called the Bruckner Organ, despite his musical abilities, Bruckners mother sent her son to a teaching seminar in Linz in 1841. After completing the seminar with an excellent grade, Bruckner was sent as an assistant to a school in Windhaag. The living standards and pay were horrible, and Bruckner was constantly humiliated by his superior, despite the difficult situation, Bruckner never complained or rebelled, a belief of inferiority was to remain one of Bruckners main personal characteristics during his whole life
32.
Symphony No. 3 (Bruckner)
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Anton Bruckners Symphony No.3 in D minor, WAB103, was dedicated to Richard Wagner and is sometimes known as his Wagner Symphony. It was written in 1873, revised in 1877 and again in 1889, the work has been characterised as difficult, and is regarded by some as Bruckners artistic breakthrough. According to Rudolf Kloiber, the third symphony opens the sequence of Bruckners masterpieces, Bruckner wrote the first version of the symphony in 1873. In September 1873, before the work was finished, Bruckner visited Richard Wagner, Bruckner showed both his Second and Third symphonies to Wagner, asking him to pick one he preferred. To Bruckners delight, Wagner chose the Third, and Bruckner dedicated the symphony to the master he highly respected, after getting home, Bruckner continued to work on the symphony, finishing the finale on 31 December 1873. According to an anecdote, Bruckner and Wagner drank so much beer together that, upon arriving home and he wrote a letter back to Wagner saying Symphony in D minor, where the trumpet begins the theme. Ever since then, Wagner referred to Bruckner as Bruckner the trumpet, in the dedication, Bruckner referred to Wagner as the unreachable world-famous noble master of poetry and music. The premiere of this Symphony was given in Vienna in 1877, the conductor was to be Johann von Herbeck, but he died a month beforehand so Bruckner himself had to step in and conduct. Even the orchestra fled at the end, leaving Bruckner alone with a few supporters, stunned by this debacle, Bruckner made several revisions of his work, leaving out significant amounts of music including most quotations from Wagners Tristan and Isolde and Die Walküre. The original 1873 score was not published until 1977, the symphony has been described as heroic in nature. Bruckners love for the grand and majestic is reflected especially in the first and last movements, stark contrasts, cuts and forcefulness mark the signature of the entire composition. The signal-like trombone thema, heard at the beginning after the two waves, constitutes a motto for the whole symphony. The symphony has four movements, Gemäßigt, mehr bewegt, misterioso — D minor Adagio, bewegt, quasi Andante — E-flat major Scherzo. Ziemlich schnell — D minor, ending in D major, according to widespread opinion, the Third can be regarded as Bruckners artistic breakthrough. In it, the real and complete Bruckner comes into expression for the first time, according to Rudolf Kloiber, the third symphony opens the sequence of Bruckners masterpieces, in which his creativity meets monumental ability of symphonic construction. However, the work has never received general critical acceptance. Especially the question of the different versions and their judgement is still as open as ever, despite being very critical of this Symphony, Robert Simpson quoted a passage from the first movement, rehearsal letter F, in his own Symphony No.9. Symphony No.3 was a favorite of conductor Hans Knappertsbusch, the 1873 version was the version that Bruckner sent to Wagner for his approval
