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Steve Reich-5

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Leave a comment. American composer Steve Reich uses Ostinatos in almost all of his music. He took piano lessons as a child but did not decide on a career in music until he was in college. Reich said this about his inspiration: "I became a composer because I'd heard the  Rite of Spring  of  Stravinsky , I'd heard  Bach 's Fifth Brandenburg, I'd heard bebop —  Charlie Parker ,  Miles Davis  — music that had a lot of rhythmic energy, music which was finally harmonic. I know the  Rite of Spring 's harmonic quality is not that of Charlie Parker. Neither are they that of Johann Sebastian Bach. But they all had what Stravinsky called the magnetic attraction, the polaric attraction of sound." (NPR-2016) He is considered to be one of the most influential composers of the 20th and 21st century, introducing the use of pre-recorded music in a concert and the use of ostinatos. Radiohead gives him credit for some of their music. He won a Grammy in 1990 an
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Caroline Shaw-4

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Remember to leave a comment. Caroline Shaw was the youngest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 2013 at the age of 30! Her winning composition is titled: Partita for 8 Voices  (click the link to listen, Ms. Shaw is one of the performers) Also a 2022 Grammy Award winner: Narrow Sea She is from North Carolina and like many other composers, including Mozart and Beethoven, her first teacher was a parent (Mother). She began playing the violin at two years old and composed her first music at ten! Interesting fact: Kanye West has used her music on one of his albums. Here are some more examples (they are really interesting): String Quartet Music in Common Time (very beautiful music) Its Motion Keeps (music for children's choir) Microfictions And The Swallow And The Swallow Vocal Version An interview with Caroline Shaw-she talks about how she creates music!
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Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George(s)-3

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Joseph Bologne, better known as Chevalier was one of the first classical composers of African heritage! He lived from 1745-1799. He was born in Guadeloupe to an enslaved Mother and eventually moved to France where he spent the rest of his life. He studied music in France and eventually became a respected composer. He was also the conductor of an orchestra in Paris: Les Concert Des Amateur. He was considered a musical equal and rival to W.A. Mozart! A recent movie has been made about his remarkable life. Listen to some of the following examples: Aria from his opera L'Mont Anonyme String Quartet in F minor Overture (the first selection) from his opera Sonata for two violins - worth watching! A short video about his life  - I highly recommend watching it! 
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Clara Wieck (Schumann)-2

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Please remember to leave a comment with first name and homeroom. During her lifetime (1819-1896), Clara (Wieck) Schumann (she was married to Robert Schumann another musician) was known as a concert pianist--in fact, she was considered one of the greatest pianists of her day! As a child, she gave her first public performance at age eight, and at eleven, she toured all over Europe. Since she performed the music of other composers, her own compositions were not often performed during her lifetime. Today, Schumann's music is very well known, and now you know her music too! Here are a few examples: Scherzo in C minor Nocturne Trio (music for violin, cello, and piano) Concert Variations Piano Concerto in A minor (this is a lengthy selection- the first few minutes will give you  a taste) And if you really enjoy her music here are the complete works for piano! (over three hours of music)
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John Williams

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Be Sure To Leave A Comment With Your Name.  Without a doubt John Williams is one of America's best known composers. He was born in 1932 to a musical family- his father was a percussionist (instruments that you strike or hit like drums).  He studied music in college and played in the US Air Force band. He started writing music for movies in the nineteen fifties. When he was 29 years old he won his first academy award ( one of many) for the movie "Fiddler on the Roof". He then wrote the music for "Jaws" winning another academy award. His most well known work is the music for "Star Wars" - this is music that is known around the world! He also wrote the music for the Harry Potter movies! Here are some examples: The Imperial March with Mr. John Williams! Hedwig's Theme- Harry Potter Schindler's List Indiana Jones Violin Concerto #1 (created in 1976) Jurassic Park Cello Concerto (1997) The Fiddler on the Roof Violin Concerto#2 (
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