Composer Series: Dmitri Shostakovich

Up next in our composer series: Dmitri Shostakovich! 

Dmitri Shostakovich
9/25/1906 - 8/9/1975 

Dmitri Shostakovich was a Soviet and Russian composer and pianist. 

He was what’s called a polystylist—he used multiple styles and techniques in his compositions.   

Shostakovich faced much adversity as a composer under the soviet regime. 

Multiple times, Shostakovich withdrew work under the threat of Soviet authorities.   

Shostakovich was officially censured in 1962 for his Symphony No.13, ‘Babi Yar.’ The piece condemns anti-Semitism and injustice. 

Our favorites: 
Symphony No.5 
String Quartet No.8 in C Minor, Op.47 

What composer do you want use to feature next?! Tell us in the comments!

Composer Series: Amy Beach

The second composer in our series—Amy Beach!

Amy Beach 
9/5/1867 - 12/27/1944 

Amy Beach was an American Composer and pianist. 

Amy was capable of improvising counter-melody by age two, and at age four, she composed four waltzes for piano.  

Beach’s “Gaelic Symphony” was the first symphony composed and published by an American woman. 

Amy was one of the first US composers to have her music recognized in Europe, and THE first classical US composer to achieve success without the benefit of European study. 

Our favorites: 
Mass in E-flat (premiered 1890) 
Gaelic Symphony (1894) 
Sonata for Piano and Violin (1896) 
Piano Concerto (1900) 
Variations on Balkan Themes (1904)

Composer Series: John Phillip Sousa

We’re kicking off the new year with the start of our composer series! And our first feature—John Phillip Sousa! Snack on these bite-size facts and pay attention—there just may be an end of the week quiz with an opportunity to win a prize!

John Phillip Sousa 
“The American March King” 
11/06/1854 - 03/06/1932 

John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era. He was known primarily for military marches. 

Sousa began his music education by playing the violin, piano, flute, several brass instruments, and singing. Violin was Sousa’s primary instrument. 

Sousa’s father enlisted 13-year-old John in the United States Marine Corps as an apprentice. 

After learning to conduct, Sousa returned to the Marine Band at the age of 26, but as its head. He remained the conductor until 1892. 

Sousa wanted a tuba that could sound upward and over the band—and so the sousaphone was created. 

Sousa wrote over 130 marches.

Our Favorites:
The Washington Post
The Gallant Seventh
Stars and Stripes Forever
The Belle of Chicago
Semper Fidelis