“Music Exists to Elevate Us Above Everyday Existence” In 2020 we celebrate the 175th birthday of Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924). Rightfully considered the most advanced French composer of his generation, his highly personalized musical style, reflected in soulful modal melodies and

“Not runs for the sake of runs” Henry Vieuxtemps (1820-1881) was undoubtedly one of the greatest violinists of his time, combining superb technical command with a deep musical understanding. As a performer he was praised for his “flawless and expressive

Practice what you Preach The Russian composer and critic Alexander Serov (1820-1871) never held an official position, he never taught a student, and he never belonged to any organized group or faction. Regardless, he was one of the most significant

“I once believed that I possessed creative talent” Clara Schumann née Wieck, (1819-1896) was born in Leipzig, daughter of Marianne and Friedrich Wieck. Friedrich established a successful music business, and Marianne was a gifted musician appearing as a piano and

Chopin of the Créoles Louisiana-born Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869) spent most of his life as a touring concert pianist. Son of a Jewish businessman and a Créole mother, the boy was quickly recognized as a musical prodigy and departed for

“The Pianistic God of Thunder” Countless highly talented individuals populate the musical universe, but very few get immortalized in poetry. But that’s exactly what happened to the Czech pianist and composer Alexander Dreyschock (1818-1869). The prolific Danish author Hans Christian

“The Mozart of the Champs-Élysées” Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) was of outstanding significance in popular music of the 19th century. He composed some of the catchiest tunes and melodies ever written, and he exerted a powerful influence on subsequent composers for

The North German Schubert Carl Loewe (1796–1869) might no longer be a household name. However, in his time, he was a close friend of Schumann, Weber and Mendelssohn. In fact, he conducted the first performance of Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream