The Anniversary Composers
Pianists are first and forward musicians. A knowledge and awareness of music is essential to any meaningful development beyond the first few months of learning. It is with this in mind that I introduced leaflets promoting the music lessons which featured composers whose birth or death anniversary is a multiple of 50 years away. Unfortunately it is no longer possible to have different flyers so instead I have a gallery of selected composers.
Eight composers have occurred each year since 2011. In 2011 they were numbers 1-8, 2012 9-16 &c so that 2026's composers are nos 121-128.
These are:
121 Manuel de Falla 1876-1946
Spanish composer born in Cadiz. Writer of music dramas and ballets – including The Three Cornered Hat. Wrote a few pieces for orchestra, including a homage to Debussy whom he outlived by a few decades. Flourished predominantly in the 20th century and one of the most well know if the century’s Iberian composers.
122 John Dowland 1563-1626
English composer and lute player of the Elizabethan era. Probably born in London he wrote mostly for lute. Many of his works including the well know Pavana Lachryma were transcribed to keyboard in his era and many are found in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. Much of the end of the 16th Century was spent working at the French Court, with service in England in his later years.
123 Carl Maria von Weber 1786-1826
German composer and conductor of the late Classical and early Romantic periods. Among his works are two symphonies and operas including Oberon and Der Freishutz.
124 Rodrigo Fererria da Costa 1776-1825
Born in Setubal, Portugal a century before Manuel de Falla, Ferreria wrote for piano and guitar although few works survive. Of Beethoven’s era, writing in Spanish, Portuguese guitar styles in between the times of Soler/Boccherini and Albeniz/Granados it would be intriguing to know more.
125 John Coltrane 1926-1967
Jazz saxophonist and composer born in Hamlet, New Carolina. From Bebop beginnings, Coltrane was one of the instigators of ‘free jazz’. Over the later course of his career his work took on diverse and spiritual directions. He is well known for works such as ‘Giant Steps’ and ‘Favourite Things’
126 Benjiman Britten 1913-1976
English composer born on the Suffolk coast. Writer of famous operas inc ‘Billy Budd’ ‘Turn of the Screw’ and ‘Peter Grimes’ and much music for children including A Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra. Much choral music drew on Renaissance and Mediaeval music for its inspiration. Very large output.
127 Havergal Brian 1876-1972
Brian was born in Staffordshire from a family of potters. Throughout his life he mostly needed work outside music for income. Despite this he wrote much music and developed the orchestra into the 20th Century being one of the pioneers of modern size modern size percussion sections. Output included 32 symphonies, including one aptly labelled the Three Blind Mice Fantasia and a first symphony lasting 2 hours.
128 Domenico Zipoli 1688-1726
Born Prato, Italy. Zipoli wrote many choral and organ works. Went into the Jesuit order, dying of tuberculosis one year before being due to be ordained as a Priest. Did serve in Argentina as a Jesuit missionary though from 1717. Ending his life near Cordoba.
