symphonic poem

Augusta Holmès (Dec. 18, 1847 - Jan. 28 1903) was a pianist and composer, born in Paris, and of Irish descent. Despite showing great talent as a child, she wasn't allowed to take piano at the Paris Conservatory. Instead she took private piano lessons with Mademoiselle Peyrnnet, and later on, harmony and counterpoint with Henri Lambert, and composition lessons with Hyacinthe Klosé. Holmès became...

Augusta Holmès (Dec. 18, 1847 - Jan. 28 1903) was a pianist and composer, born in Paris, and of Irish descent. Despite showing great talent as a child, she wasn't allowed to take piano at the Paris Conservatory. Instead she took private piano lessons with Mademoiselle Peyrnnet, and later on, harmony and counterpoint with Henri Lambert, and composition lessons with Hyacinthe Klosé. Holmès became a student of César Frank in 1876, and considered him her greatest teacher. Continue reading →

Béla Bartók (March 25, 1881 - Sept. 26, 1945) is certainly not an obscure name, but just like any composer, has works that aren't championed as well as others.  Born in Hungary, he showed significant musical talent at a very young age, and began studying music with his mother. Later on Bartok attended The Royal Academy of Music in Budapest, where he wrote his first major orchestra work, which we are looking at today: his symphonic poem Kossuth. It is not programmed anywhere near as often as his other works such as Concerto for Orchestra, Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta, or The Miraculous Mandarin. It seems oft overlooked, but is very much worth a listen. Continue reading →