Stephen Foster, born on July 4th (1826–1864), was an American Romantic-era composer who, almost exclusively, wrote songs and even today, when we celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth, those songs live on. Stephen Collins Foster was born in Lawrenceville,

The compositions of the Czech composer Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) draw on the melodic and rhythmic irregularities of folk music, particularly from Moravian and other Eastern European traditions, which he collected, edited, arranged, and used as the basis of his own

Working from the Habsburg court in Vienna, Christoph Willibald Ritter von Gluck, born on this day, 2 July (1714–1787), freed opera from the stranglehold of opera-series practices that had been accruing over time and created a new opera style that

The Russian pianist Alexandra Dovgan had already collected five competition victories by the age of thirteen, receiving her technical and musical training under Mira Marchenko at Moscow’s Central Music School. Beyond prizes and accolades, Dovgan has also attracted the attention

I love concertos in any shape or form, and the wonderful Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen has essentially written four such compositions. It’s difficult to keep up with all his accolades and appointments, but to celebrate his birthday on

Yvonne Lefébure (1898–1986) was born on 29 June 1898 in Ermont, in the northern suburbs of Paris. At age 8, she was introduced to the French pianist Marguerite Long, who spoke with her parents about having her pursue serious musical

The American lyric baritone Thomas Hampson is one of the most important interpreters of the German Lied tradition, especially known for his interpretations of Gustav Mahler‘s music. He has made over 170 recordings during his career, and to celebrate his

As a dedicated champion of contemporary music, Gérard Caussé served as principal violist of the Ensemble Intercontemporain under Pierre Boulez. Caussé has greatly expanded the viola repertoire through close collaborations with living composers, and to celebrate his birthday on 26