symphony

Josef Suk (Jan. 4, 1874 - May 29, 1935) was a Czech composer and violinist, who began his musical training at an early age. He learned the violin, organ, and piano from his father, and then went on to study composition, with his most famous teacher being Antonin Dvořák. Suk and Dvořák became close, trusted friends, and eventually Suk married Dvořák's  daughter, Otilie. Continue reading →

George Enescu (Aug.19, 1881 - May 4, 1955) has long been regarded as Romania's most important musician. In addition to composing, he was also a violinist, pianist, and conductor. At age seven he became the youngest student ever admitted to the Vienna Conservatory, studying with Robert Fuchs, and Sigismund Bachrich. Later on he studied at the Paris Conservatory, studying with Jules Massenet, and Gabriel Faure. Continue reading →

Upon hearing the name of Paul Dukas, many people immediately think about his delightful composition The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which many know from Disney’s movie Fantasia. Dukas wrote more than that however, and sadly his Symphony in C is oft overlooked. In Dukas’ time (1865 – 1935), French composers weren’t exactly in a rush to write symphonies. They were more known...

Albert Dietrich is today known more for his friendship with Johannes Brahms than his work as a composer, however Dietrich had a sizable output of works. While much of that output was in short lieder, today we’ll take a look at his Symphony in D Major, Op. 20, first performed in 1871 and one of a select few orchestra works Dietrich wrote. Continue reading →