Magnificent Musicians

Peter Tchaikovsky
By Rachel Donka

Peter Tchaikovsky was born in Russia in 1840. Tchaikovsky began studying piano at the age of four. He graduated from law school at age nineteen and went to work as a clerk for the government. When Tchaikovsky was twenty-two, he entered the Conservatory at St. Petersburg. At the conservatory, he studied organ and flute. In 1886, Peter Tchaikovsky was hired as professor of Harmony in the Moscow Conservatory. Soon after Tchaikovsky arrived in Moscow, he was employed frequently by a widow named Mrs. Nadezhda von Meck to compose many different pieces. All though Tchaikovsky and Mrs. Von Meck corresponded often, Mrs. Von Meck insisted that that they never meet. After Tchaikovsky went on a tour of Europe and America, he began writing his most famous work, the Nutcracker Ballet. His last work was called the “Pathetique”. He died in 1893, just after his last work was performed. Peter Tchaikovsky was one of my favorite composers, and he will be always be remembered in history.

Magnificient Musicians

Franz Joseph Haydn
By Rachel
Franz Joseph Haydn was born in Austria in 1732. When he was 8, he became a member of the boy’s choir in Vienna called St Stephen’s Cathedral.
When his voice changed, he left the choir. He started teaching harpsichord and playing organ in churches to earn his living.
In 1790, Haydn left Austria and traveled to London where he composed some very famous works. His most famous is Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Otherwise known as “surprise Symphony”). This peace was a simple pattern of notes followed by a loud chord. Haydn says he composed this piece to “wake up the ladies”. When he performed it, only half his audience was left when it ended.

In 1809, Franz Joseph Haydn died. His body maybe gone, but he will live on forever through his music.

Magnificent Musicians

Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
Rachel
Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk, Russia in 1840. When he was 19, he went to law school to become a lawyer. He did not want to be a lawyer, so he started studying music at the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music with Anton Rubinstein. In 1866, he started teaching at the Moscow Conservatory of Music.
One of Tchaikovsky’s most famous works was the “Nutcracker Ballet”. He was not excited to compose this, so he wrote the first act and then went to the United States. Upon his return to Russia he completed the Nutcracker Ballet.
Tchaikovsky composed a lot of famous works. Some of them are “The Nutcracker Ballet”, “Swan Lake”, and “Beauty and the Beast”.

Magnificient Musicians

Domenico Scarlatti
By Rachel
Domenico Scarlatti was born in Naples, Italy in 1685 during the last few years of the baroque period. His father was a famous opera composer, so it is no surprise that he went in to music. He composed over 550 sonatas for the harpsichord, along with many Operas and cantatas. In 1719, Scarlatti moved to Portugal to teach the princess music. When she married a Spanish prince, he moved with her to Spain. Scarlatti was 72 when he died in 1757 in the country of Spain. Domenico Scarlatti was a great composer

Magnificient Musicians

Francois Couperin
By Rachel
Francois Couperin was born in Paris in 1668 during the baroque period. Most of his music was written for the harpsichord because it was the most popular instrument back then. He was the music teacher for the children of King Lois XIV. Couperin often performed for the royal court and the King of France at the palace Versailles. He died at age 65 in the year of 1733. Couperin was a great musician.

Magnificient Musicians

George Frideric Handel
By Rachel Donka

George Frideric Handel was born on February 23, 1685 in the town of Halle, Saxony in northern Germany. His father wanted him to be a wealthy man, so Handel was enrolled in law school to be a lawyer. Handel’s father was so intent on Handel being a lawyer that he did not allow musical instruments in their house. But Handel was determined to play music, so he managed to hide a harpsichord in the attic and he taught himself to play. Handel composed operas for a while, but he got sick of composing them and turned to compose oratorios instead. Oratorios were operas with out costumes and solos. His most famous chorus was the Hallelujah Chorus. In 1712, Handel moved to London, England where he died on April 14th, 1759.