Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, born on March 18, 1844, in Tikhvin, Russia, was a prominent Russian composer, conductor, and music educator. He is regarded as one of the leading figures of the late 19th-century Russian classical music. Rimsky-Korsakov's musical genius and innovative compositions have left an indelible mark on the world of music.
From an early age, Rimsky-Korsakov showed a natural inclination and talent for music. He began taking piano lessons at the age of six and later developed skills in composition and orchestration. In 1856, he entered the Imperial Russian Navy and sailed around the world, which exposed him to different cultures and musical traditions, greatly influencing his later works.
However, at the age of 64, his vision started to deteriorate. He could no longer play the organ, compose music or direct choirs and orchestras. He was afraid of losing his job and his livelihood. What caused his blindness and how did he cope with it?
The most likely culprit was cataract, a clouding of the lens of the eye that reduces vision and causes glare. Cataract is a common condition in older people, especially those who have been exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. Bach was known to have played the organ without glasses even in his presbyopic age, which suggests that he was nearsighted and had to strain his eyes to see clearly.
Hector Berlioz, born Louis-Hector Berlioz, was a French composer, conductor, and music critic. He was born on December 11, 1803, in La Côte-Saint-André, a small town in southeastern France. Berlioz is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential composers of the Romantic period. His music was characterized by its emotional intensity, vivid orchestration, and imaginative use of programmatic elements.
Berlioz grew up in a musical family and showed early talent as a musician. His father, a respected physician, initially wanted him to pursue a medical career. However, Berlioz's passion for music led him to study composition and music theory in Paris. Despite facing financial difficulties and opposition from his father, he persevered and gained admission to the prestigious Paris Conservatoire in 1826.
Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the late Romantic period. He was born on April 1, 1873, in Semyonovo, a small village near Novgorod, Russia, and passed away on March 28, 1943, in Beverly Hills, California, United States. Rachmaninoff's music is known for its lush melodies, rich harmonies, and virtuosic piano writing.
Rachmaninoff was born into a noble and musically inclined family. His father, Vasily, was an army officer and amateur pianist, while his mother, Lyubov, came from a cultured and artistic background. Rachmaninoff showed exceptional musical talent at an early age, displaying remarkable proficiency on the piano and composing his first piece at the age of nine. Recognizing his potential, his parents enrolled him in the St. Petersburg Conservatory at the age of ten.
Georg Friedrich Händel, also known as George Frideric Handel, was one of the most influential composers of the late Baroque era. He was born on February 23, 1685, in Halle, a city in the Duchy of Magdeburg, which was part of the Holy Roman Empire. He was the son of a barber-surgeon who served at the courts of Saxony-Weissenfels and Brandenburg. Händel showed a remarkable talent for music from an early age, but his father wanted him to study law instead. However, Händel managed to pursue his musical education with the help of his mother and his mentor Friedrich W. Zachow, a composer and organist in Halle.
Franz Schubert was one of the most influential composers of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. He was born on January 31, 1797, in Vienna, Austria, to a musical family. His father was a schoolmaster who taught him violin and his brother taught him piano. He also received lessons from the court organist and the famous composer Antonio Salieri.
Schubert showed remarkable talent from an early age and composed his first songs when he was only 14. He joined the imperial court chapel choir and attended the Stadtkonvikt school, where he was exposed to the works of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. He left school at 16 and became a teacher at his father's school, but he continued to compose prolifically in his spare time.
Anton Bruckner was one of the most original and influential composers of the late 19th century. He is best known for his symphonies, which are characterized by their rich harmonic language, strongly polyphonic texture, and considerable length. He also composed many sacred and secular choral works, as well as organ music.
Bruckner was born on September 4, 1824, in Ansfelden, a village near Linz in Upper Austria. He came from a humble family of farmers and craftsmen, and his father was a schoolmaster and organist. Bruckner showed musical talent from an early age, and learned to play the violin and the organ. He attended school in Hörsching, where he studied with his godfather, J.B. Weiss, a minor composer. After his father's death in 1837, he becam
Johannes Brahms was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century. He was born in Hamburg, Germany, on May 7, 1833, to a musical family. His father, Johann Jakob Brahms, was a horn and double bass player who taught him piano, violin, and cello. His mother, Johanna Henrika Christiane Nissen, was a seamstress who encouraged his musical interests.
Brahms showed remarkable talent as a pianist from an early age. He began composing when he was 11 years old and gave his first public performance when he was 15. He also played in taverns and dance halls to help support his family. He was influenced by the music of Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, and Schumann, as well as by the folk music of Germany and Hungary.
Carlos Gomes was one of the most prominent composers of the 19th century, and the first Brazilian to achieve success in the European opera scene. He was born in Campinas, São Paulo, in 1836, and showed an early talent for music. He learned to play several instruments, such as piano, violin, and flute, and composed his first pieces when he was still a teenager.
Clara Schumann was one of the most influential and accomplished musicians of the 19th century. She was a pianist, composer, teacher, and wife of the famous composer Robert Schumann. Here are seven facts about her remarkable life: