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Johann Sebastian Bach
1685-1750
Country of Origin: Germany
Historical Era: Baroque
Did You Know?
At the age of 8, Bach copied an entire library of music
because he wanted something to play.
Bach was a choirboy in Lüneburg for many years.
At the age of 19, Bach became the organist at
Arnstadt, Germany where he composed his famous
Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
In addition to music, Bach also taught Latin.
Bach had a very large family of 21 children and two
wives. Many of his children also became famous
musicians.
Bach lived during the same time as composer, George
Frederick Handel. Handel once traveled to Bach’s town
but the two never met.
Bach is buried in Leipzig, Germany.
Felix Mendelssohn discovered Bach’s music. It took 46
years to copy and print all of it.
“ Music is an agreeable harmony for
the honor of God and the permissible
delights of the soul” - J.S. Bach
Inventions and
Discoveries During
Bach’s Life
1700
Bifocals
1729
Rockets for war use
1744
Celsius thermometer
1745
Chemical batteries
Listen to these other
pieces by Bach!
Brandenburg Concertos
English Suites
Art of the Fugue
Cello Suites
Toccata and Fugue in
D minor
15
Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart
1756-1791
Country of Origin: Austria
Historical Era: Classical
Did You Know?
Mozart’s father was a noted violinist and
composer. He was the first to give Mozart music
lessons.
Inventions and
Discoveries Made
During Mozart’s Life
1767
Carbonated Water
Mozart began composing for the harpsichord at
the age of 5. He traveled with his father for 3 years
performing for royalty.
1778
Methane Gas
Mozart composed his first symphony by the age of
9!
1784
Benjamin Franklin proposed
daylight savings time
Mozart could write music notes before he could
write letters.
Mozart composed the opera The Magic Flute in
1791.
“ Music, even in situations of the
greatest horror, should never be
painful to the ear, but should flatter
and charm it, and thereby always
remain music”. - W.A. Mozart
1792
The Guillotine
Listen to these other pieces
by Mozart!
Symphony No. 41 in C major
“Jupiter” K. 551
Regina Coeli K.276
Missa solemnis K. 337
16
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770-1872
Country of Origin:
Germany
Historical Era: Bridged
Classical and Romantic Eras
Did You Know?
Beethoven was born in Bonngasse.
Beethoven’s father was his first teacher.
Beethoven made his first concert debut at the age of 8.
Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792 in hopes of
studying with Franz Joseph Haydn.
Mozart once said in a letter to Beethoven “ You will
someday make a big noise in the world.”
Between 1796 and 1801 Beethoven realized he was
going deaf.
At the conclusion of the premier of his 9th Symphony,
Beethoven had to be turned around to see the applause
his work was receiving.
Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the
higher world of knowledge which
comprehends mankind by which mankind
cannot comprehend. - Ludwig van Beethoven
Inventions and
Discoveries made
During Beethoven’s
Life
1794
Cotton Gin
1834
Electric Motor
1846
Sewing Machine
1850
Listen to these other
pieces by Beethoven!
Symphony No. 6 in F major
Op. 68
Egmont Overture
Leonore Overture
Violin Concerto in D major Op.
61
17
Gioachino Rossini
1792-1868
Country of Origin: Italy
Historical Era: Romantic
Did You Know?
Inventions and
Discoveries Made
During Rossini’s Life.
Rossini was born during a leap year on February
29th.
1810
Tin Can
Rossini composed 38 operas during his lifetime.
1834
Electric Motor
Rossini was the idol of Venice, Italy.
Rossini loved good food.
William Tell was Rossini’s last opera.
Rossini lived for 39 years after composing William
Tell.
1853
Blue Jeans
1858
Can Opener
Rossini died on Friday the 13th, 1868.
Listen to these other
pieces by Rossini!
“ Every kind of music is good,
except the boring kind”
- G. Rossini
The Barber of Seville
La Grazza Ladra
Semiramide
Stabat Mater
Carnival of Venice
18
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
1840-1893
Country of Origin:
Russia
Historical Era: Romantic
Did You Know?
Tchaikovsky studied law in St. Petersburg.
Tchaikovsky discovered his love for music and
entered the Conservatory to learn more about it.
Tchaikovsky completed his first fantasy
overture in 1869. It was the Overture, Romeo
and Juliet.
Tchaikovsky toured the United States in 1891
where he conducted some of his music.
Tchaikovsky had a very unhappy marriage that
eventually ended in divorce.
Tchaikovsky is well known for his ballets which
included the Nutcracker as well as Eugene
Onegin.
Tchaikovsky died nine days after hearing his
Symphony No. 6 Pathetique.
“ Truly there would be no reason
to go mad were it not for music” P. Tchaikovsky
Inventions and Discoveries
Made During Tchaikovsky’s
Life.
1842
Grain Elevator
1850
Dishwasher
1876
Telephone
1892
Braille
Listen to these other
pieces by Tchaikovsky!
Nutcracker Ballet
Swan Lake Ballet
1812 Overture
Concerto for Violin and
Orchestra
19
Igor Stravinsky
1882-1971
Country of Origin: Russia
Did You Know?
Inventions and
Discoveries made
During Stravinsky’s Life.
Stravinsky's father was a bass viol player.
1885
Motorcycle
Stravinsky was brought up in St. Petersburg,
Russia.
Stravinsky's first exposure to orchestral music was
at a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty.
Stravinsky’s music The Rite of Spring caused a riot
in Paris on May 29, 1913.
Stravinsky became an American Citizen in 1941.
1893
Zipper
1903
Ford Motor Company
1914-1918
WWI
1939-1945
WWII
“ I have learned throughout my life
as a composer chiefly through my
mistakes and pursuit of false assumptions, not by my exposure to
founts of wisdom and knowledge.”
I. Stravinsky
Listen to these other
pieces by Stravinsky!
Petroushka
The Rakes’ Progress
The Firebird
Concerto for Piano and
Orchestra
20