Happy birthday to J.S. Bach's ninth son

It is the birthday of German composer Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach (1732), the ninth son of Johann Sebastian Bach. Of course, he composed music, too. Enjoy his Sinfonia in D.

Happy birthday to two great composers!

We honor the birthdays of Hungarian composer Johannes Brahms (1833) and Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky (1840) with two of their most popular pieces, Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5 and Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien Op 45. Enjoy!

Happy birthday, Georg Gottfried Wagner

It is the birthday of German cantor and composer Georg Gottfried Wagner (1686), who served in a church in Plauen, in eastern Germany southwest of Dresden. He studied under Johann Sebastian Bach at the University of Leipzig and later received a recommendation letter from him when he applied for the position in Plauen. He served there 30 years.

Happy birthday, Arnold Mendelssohn

It is the birthday of German composer Arnold Ludwig Mendelssohn (1855), whose Uncle Felix was much more well known and revered as a musician but who was, nevertheless, no slouch as a composer himself. Here is the first movement of a piece for two violins and piano. Enjoy!

Happy birthday, Robert Schumann

It is the birthday of German composer Robert Schumann (1810), who is considered one of the greatest Romantic composers in the world. His piano instructor, Fredrich Wieck, told him he could become the greatest pianist in Europe. However, he injured his hand and turned to composing. He also fell in love with Wieck's daughter and married her when she was 20, despite the objections of her father. This is his first symphony, composed the year after his married Clara Wieck, who encouraged him to write symphonies. Felix Mendelssohn directed the premiere performance in Leipzig in 1841.

Happy birthday, Franz Liszt

It is the birthday of Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt (1811), who is considered to be one of the greatest pianists of all time and perhaps the most prominent composer of the New German School. Here is his Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, one of his best known pieces.

Happy birthday, Richard Wagner

It is the birthday of German composer Richard Wagner (1813), who wrote not only the music but also he libretto for his numerous operas. He introduced the idea of musical signatures for various main characters. Perhaps one of his best known pieces is the Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walküre. Enjoy!

Happy birthday, Brahms and Tchaikovsky!

It is the birthday of German composer and pianist Johannes Brahms (1833) and Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky 1840), two of the most beloved classical composers of all time. They both wrote serenades, symphonies, concertos, overtures and chamber works. Tchaikovsky also wrote operas and ballets. Here are popular pieces from each of them. Enjoy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SUNDAY CONCERT: It is the birthday of German composer Christoph Bernhard (c. 1628), who literally sang for his supper as a child because his family was poor and his sailor father was away at sea. He studied in Rome as a young man and attracted the attention of Italian musicians with his compositions, including a Mass for 10 voices. He composed a piece for the funeral of his childhood teacher, Heinrich Schütz. Most of his work is sacred vocal music in German and Latin. HAPPY NEW YEAR!