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Mr. E's
"Who's your favorite composer?" Survey

Vote for your favorite HERE!

VOTE for your favorite composer HERE!!!

Vote Here: Opinion Poll from CWT		ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1742) wrote "The 4 Seasons." He had red hair and was called "the red priest". He taught at a girl's school for many years. Listen to a 'midi file' of "Summer". It tells about a summer storm."Fall (l'autumno)" from "The 4 Seasons." tells about a fox hunt. (It's Vivaldi who wrote all about the 4 seasons). Mr. E's Vivaldi page from his book "Listen to the Music" including a portrait to hand color.
	WOLFGANG A. MOZART (1756 -1791) wrote "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik". Many consider him the greatest composer. He played for kings at age 6. He wrote his first opera at age 12. Read an imaginary interview with Mozart that some kids wrote here! Mr. E's Mozart page from his book "Listen to the Music" including a portrait to hand color.
	AARON COPLAND (1900-1990) was one of America's greatest composers. We listened to "Rodeo" which was written and first performed during World War II. Mr. E's Copland page from his book "Listen to the Music" including a portrait to hand color.
	George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) was born in Germany. After studying opera in Italy we was hired by a prince. When went to England to write opera that prince became the King of England, George I. Handel wrote the "Water Music" for a party George I had on an open boat on the river Thames. Handel and the orchestra played on a barge nearby. Here is a minuet from the Water Music. Listen for the French Horn. Imagine how it sounded out on the river! Here is a fun worksheet from Classics for Kids. Mr. E's Handel page from his book "Listen to the Music" including a portrait to hand color.
	Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) was born in Russia. He was a fine pianist, but he joined the army and became a military officer before studying composition. He worte Pictures at an Exhibition to honor his friend, Victor Hartman, an artist friend who died at age 39. The music describes his friend's paintings at an exhibition mounted after Hatman died. Here is a fun worksheet from Classics for Kids. Mr. E's Mussorgsky page from his book "Listen to the Music" including a portrait to hand color.
	WOODY GUTHRIE wrote 1000's of songs including "This Land is Your Land"( RealAudio file. This is a file of Woody singing it .), "Bling Blang", and "Howdja Do?"
	Ludwig vonBeethoven wrote 9 Symphonies. Hs music was revolutionary and began what we call the Romantic era of music. We listened to the first movement of his famous 5th Symphony. This recording can be downloaded for free from the Philadelphia Philharmonic's website. Mr. E's Beethoven page and portrait to color from his book "Listen to the Music."
	Franz Josef Haydn wrote 104 Symphonies! He was the most famous musician of his time. We listened to the finale of his last symphony, Symphony No. 104, often called the "London Symphony." Mr. E's Haydn page and portrait to color from his book "Listen to the Music."
	Benjamin Britten was born on Nov. 22, St. Cecelia's Day in Britain. St. Cecelia is the patron saint of music. He wrote the Ceremony of Carols on his return to England, after a long stay in the U.S. Here is a video of "Deo Gracias," the Britten listening selection we will hear from the Ceremony of Carols, from You Tube. Mr. E's Britten page and portrait to color from his book "Listen to the Music".
	Johann Sebastian Bach was one of the greatest composers of all time. He spent most of his life in relative obscurity, as the musicdirector of St. Thomas' Church in Leipzig, Germany. He was most noted as an organist. Here is his G minor "Little" Fugue. He loved to write fugues, and was the best at that musical form. Mr. E's Bach page and portrait to hand color from his book "Listen to the Music."
	Peter Ilytch Tchaikovsky was born in Russia in 1840. He is perhaps best known for his ballet's, and The Nutcracker has become everyone's favorite Christmas ballet. We will listen to the "Dance of the Toy Flutes" Mr. E's Tchaikovsky page and portrait to hand color from his book "Listen to the Music."
	Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington/ Billy Strayhorn was born in Washington DC. He is perhaps best known American composer, having toured the world with his Orchestra, and he wrote hundreds of familiar songs and arrangements. He often collaborated with his arranger, Billy Strayhorn. We will listen to Elliungton and Strayhorn's arrangement of the Dance of the Toy Flutes by Tchaikovsky that they call "Toot Toot Tootie Toot." Mr. E's Toot Toot Tootie Toot page
	John Adams is perhaps the best known American composer today. He lives here in the Bat Area - in Berkeley. He has a page on MySpace where you can listen to "A Short Ride on a Fast Machine" the work we will listen to. He also has his own website with lots of great information. Mr. E's John Adams page and portrait to hand color from his book "Listen to the Music."
	Antonin Dvorak is perhaps the best known Czech composer. He also visited America and was the head of what later became the New York Conservatory of Music. He visited america at a crucial time, encouraging American composers, until then virtually unknown in Europe, to listen to native American and African-American music as a source of inspiration. Both pieces we will listen to were written in the U.S., the famous "New World" Symphony (you will need the SCORCH plug-in to hearit)and the "American" String Quartet, in which a was inspired by an American bird that Dvorak heard on his summer vacation in Iowa, the scarlet tanager. Here is an NPR radio program telling all about it. Mr. E's Dvorak page and portrait to hand color from his book "Listen to the Music."