piano

  1. Obscure Music Monday: Carreño's Le Printemps

    Maria Teresa Carreño Garcia de Sena (Dec. 22, 1853 - June 12, 1917) was a Venezuelan pianist, singer, conductor, and composer. Born in to a musical family, she became known around he world as a virtuoso pianist, often referred to as the "Valkyrie of the piano". Continue reading →
  2. Obscure Music Monday: Poldowski's Spleen

    Poldowski (May 16, 1879 - Jan. 28, 1932) was the professional pseudonym for Régine Wieniawksi, daughter of Polish violinist and composer Henryk Wieniawski. Born in Ixelles, Brussels, her mother was English and had family associations with various composers and musicians. Continue reading →
  3. Obscure Music Monday: Europe's Castles' Half and Half

    James Reese Europe (Feb. 22, 1880 - May 9, 1919) was an African-American bandleader, arranger, violinist, pianist and composer. Continue reading →
  4. Obscure Music Monday: Cook's Three Negro Songs

    Will Marion Cook (Jan. 27, 1869 - July 19, 1944) was an African-American violinist, conductor, and composer born in Washington, D.C. His father was dean of the Howard University School of Law, but died when Cook was ten. He was then sent to live with his maternal grandparents in Chattanooga Tennessee, who were able to buy their way out of slavery. He said that was his "soul period", and where he experienced "real Negro melodies". Continue reading →
  5. Obscure Music Monday: Carreño's La Fausse Note

    Maria Teresa Carreño Garcia de Sena (Dec. 22, 1853 - June 12, 1917) was a Venezuelan pianist, singer, conductor, and composer. Born in to a musical family, she became known around he world as a virtuoso pianist, often referred to as the "Valkyrie of the piano". Continue reading →
  6. Obscure Music Monday: Coleridge-Taylor's Four African Dances

    Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (Aug. 15, 1875 - Sept. 1, 1912) was born in London, England, to Alice Hare Martin, an English woman, and Dr. Daniel Peter Hughes Taylor, from Sierre Leone. They were not married, and Daniel Taylor returned to Africa before 1875, not even knowing he had a son. Martin named her son after the poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and was raised in Croydon, Surrey by his mother, and her father. Coleridge-Taylor studied violin at the Royal College of Music, and was later on appointed a professor at the Crystal Palace School of Music, and conducted the orchestra at the Croyden Conservatory. Continue reading →
  7. Obscure Music Monday: Lie's Sne

    Sigurd Lie (May 23, 1871 - Sept. 30, 1904) was a Norwegian composer, violinist. and conductor. His parents were musically inclined, and were supportive of Lie's musical studies. Continue reading →
  8. Obscure Music Monday: Dohnányi's Winterreigen

    Ernő Dohnányi (July 27, 1877 - Feb. 9, 1960) was a Hungarian composer, conductor, and violinist. You might see his name as Ernst von Dohnányi, which is the German form of his name. Continue reading →
  9. Obscure Music Monday: Agnew's Winter Solitude

    Roy Ewing "Robert" Agnew (Aug. 23, 1891 - November 12, 1944) was an Australian composer and pianist, often thought to be one of the best Australian composers of the early 20th century. Continue reading →
  10. Obscure Music Monday: Bax's Winter Waters

    Sir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax (Nov. 8, 1883 - Oct. 3, 1953) was an English composer, poet, and author. Predominately known for his symphonic work, he also wrote choral music, concertos, chamber pieces, and works for piano. Continue reading →