Probably the most naturally gifted musician the world has ever known, Mozart began his career early as a child prodigy. By the age five, he was already proficient on the violin, the harpsichord and piano keyboard, and had begun composing music that had integrity. He was a showman as well, according to contemporary documents, and charmed many of the crowned heads of Europe with his performance and his manner.Inside you'll read aboutEarly Years of ProdigyThe Grand Tour 1763-66Setbacks and Success in ViennaThe Solo Trip to ItalySalzburg to ViennaAugsburg, Mannheim, Paris, and MunichMunich and IdomeneoAnd much more!Unlike other child prodigies though, Mozart developed gradually into a mature musician, composing operas, concertos, forty-one symphonies, string quartets, piano sonatas, and many other kinds of music. Although he died when he was only thirty-five years old, he is still one of the most prolific composers who ever lived.***Ludwig van Beethoven is a crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Classical music. Beethoven displayed his musical talents at an early age and was taught by his father Johann van Beethoven and by composer and conductor Christian Gottlob Neefe.Inside you'll read aboutBackground and early lifeEstablishing his career in ViennaMusical maturityLoss of hearingPatronageMiddle periodPersonal and family difficultiesLate worksIllness and deathAnd much more!At the age of 21, he moved to Vienna, where he began studying composition with Joseph Haydn and gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. He lived in Vienna until his death. By his late 20s his hearing began to deteriorate, and by the last decade of his life, he was almost completely deaf. In 1811 he gave up conducting and performing in public but continued to compose; many of his most admired works come from these last 15 years of his life.

This is a compelling and inspiring look at spiritual beliefs that influenced some of the world's greatest composers, now revised and expanded with eight additional composers.

Featuring authentic keyboard pieces exclusively from the Classical Period, this collection serves as an excellent introduction to classical keyboard literature for late-elementary to early-intermediate level performers. Well-placed fingerings, minimal dynamic markings, suggested realizations of ornaments in footnotes, limited articulations, and well-spaced engraving make this an ideal transitional book to introduce students to standard repertory. Outstanding literature selected for its quality and accessibility include: Allego, K.3 (Mozart) * Country Dance in D (Beethoven) * Ecossaise, WoO23 (Beethoven) * German Dance in A, WoO 42 (Beethoven) * German Dance in D (Haydn) * German Dance in E (Haydn) * Gigue (Arnold) * Little Dance and Rondo (Turk) * Melody and Sonatina Op. 168, No. 2 (Diabelli) * Menuett K.1, K. 2, and K. 6 (Mozart) * Minuet in G (Haydn) * Two Minuets (L. Mozart) * Minuetto (Hook) * Sonatina in C (Duncombe) * Sonatina in C (Haslinger).

“The only love affair I have ever had was with music.” Maurice Ravel A compelling celebration of more than 90 of the world’s most influential composers from the medieval period to the present day, Composers reveals the fascinating stories of their lives, loves, and works. Biographical entries – introduced with a stunning portrait of each featured composer – trace the friendships, loves, and rivalries that inspired each musical genius. Profiles offer revealing insights into what drove each individual to create the musical masterpieces – symphonies, concertos, and operatic scores – that changed the direction of classical music and are still celebrated and treasured today. Lavishly illustrated with paintings or photographs of each composer, alongside original musical scores and personal correspondence, images of their homes and where they worked, and personal effects and other important artifacts, the book introduces the key influences, themes, and working methods of each individual, setting their works within a wider historical and cultural context. Charting the development of classical music and music movements across the centuries, Composers provides a compelling glimpse into the personal lives, loves, and influences of the giants of the classical music canon.

This volume covers the history of classic music with individual chapters on its medieval and renaissance roots, the baroque era, classical period, romantic era, modern era, and classical music in the new millennium. Informative sidebars, numerous quotations from authoritative sources, annotated bibliographies, and a complete index make this volume a valuable research tool for students.

The definitive book on the life and music of Ludwig van Beethoven, written by the acclaimed biographer of Brahms and Ives.

Eminent historian Paul Johnson dazzles with a rich, succinct portrait of Mozart and his music As he’s done in Napoleon, Churchill, Jesus, and Darwin, acclaimed historian and author Paul Johnson here offers a concise, illuminating biography of Mozart. Johnson’s focus is on the music—Mozart’s wondrous output of composition and his uncanny gift for instrumentation. Liszt once said that Mozart composed more bars than a trained copyist could write in a lifetime. Mozart’s gift and skill with instruments was also remarkable as he mastered all of them except the harp. For example, no sooner had the clarinet been invented and introduced than Mozart began playing and composing for it. In addition to his many insights into Mozart’s music, Johnson also challenges the many myths that have followed Mozart, including those about the composer’s health, wealth, religion, and relationships. Always engaging, Johnson offers readers and music lovers a superb examination of Mozart and his glorious music, which is still performed every day in concert halls and opera houses around the world.