Happy birthday, Vladimir Horowitz

It is the birthday of pianist Vladimir Horowitz (1903), who is regarded as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. Horowitz began performing in 1925. His career spanned 50 years. His repertorie included works of the greatest composers, among them Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Mozart, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Schumann, and Tchaikovsky. Here is Chopin's Black Key Étude, so called because the right hand plays exclusively on the black keys.

Felix Mendelssohn, child prodigy

It is the birthday of German composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809), who was a child prodigy. He began piano lessons at age 6.  He was influenced by Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. He wrote music at least from the age of 12. The Overture A Midsummer Night's Dream (1826) was written when he was 17. Mendelssohn was a contemporary of Liszt, Wagner and Berlioz. He was a prolific composer, writing chamber music, piano music, concertos, operas, and symphonies. He also served as a conductor, pianist, organist and teacher.