| Today in Music History A Daily Look at Music History For Violin Students A Look at What Happened on Today's Date Long, Long Ago . . . Or Maybe Just Last Year |
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| TODAY IS February 12 |
| Can You Guess? In 1971, Tony Orlando and Dawn had a literal "hit" with a song about a man who loves a woman in the apartment below his. Too shy to speak to her, the song tells her what to do if she loves him too. Can You Guess what the song asks her to do do do if she loves the singer? Look at the Bottom of the Page for the Answer. |
| What Else Happened Today? |
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| 1728 - Augustino Steffani, Italian composer, died in Frankfurt-am-Main. 1812 - Carl Czerny gives premiere of Beethoven's Emporer Concerto. 1898 - Birth of American composer Roy Harris in Chandler Oklahoma 1924 - Premiere of Rhapsody In Blue, Paul Whiteman Orch, NYC. Gershwin the piano soloist at Aeolian Hall in NYC. Guests: John Phillip Sousa and Jascha Heifetz. 1937 - Birth of American composer Terrence Patrick Dougherty in Spokane, WA. 1944 - Moe Bandy, country / western vocalist, was born. He had ten #1 hits. 1963 - Up on the Roof, by The Drifters, was released. 1964 - Premiere of Henry Cowell's Quartet Euphometric by the Galimir String Quartet at Philharmonic Hall in NYC. |
| Franz Joseph Haydn 1732-1809 |
| Franz Joseph Haydn's A National Song (click to see image) was first played February 12, 1797. It celebrated the birthday Emperor Franz Joseph II, of Austria, and its theme was later used his Emperor String Quartet, Op. 76, No. 3. . Born in the small village of Rohrau, Austria on March 31, 1732, Franz Joseph Haydn ( he was called "Joseph" was the second of 12 children. His father, a wheelwright, was quite musical ( He played the harp.) There is evidence that Joseph had a good voice. He and his mother sang as father played. |
| Haydn's String Quartets at Amazon (Includes the Emperor Quartet) |
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| All Product Descriptions and Quotes Regarding Products are taken from the Web Sites of the Suppliers. |
| Joseph expressed an interest in playing the violin, but there was not much chance for a musical education in Rohrau. In 1737, a cousin who was a schoolmaster brough Joseph to Hainburg to attend school and take violin lessons in the evening. In 1740 Karl Georg Reutter, the choirmaster at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna brought Joseph to Vienna to join the choir. He remained with the choir until he was 15 and his voice changed. After that he remained in Vienna to study music. He began composing and began to take on piano students. By 1756, Joseph was ranked among the best musicians in Vienna. In 1759 he was appointed vice-capellmeister to Count Morzin, a nobleman from Bohemia who maintained a private orchestra. He was required to produce "divertimenti" regularly for the orchestra, which allowed him to study orchestration. By temperament he was deeply religious, and gave back to Almighty God, in his compositions for the services of the Church, the talent with which he was so richly endowed. In 1761 he became vice-capellmeister at Eisenstadt, and in 1766 traveled to Esterhatz where he was appointed capellmeister for Prince Nicholaus. This position was very difficult. Among his duties were providing daily orchestra recitals, several operatic performances per week, and at least one formal concerts. Joseph visited London twice (1791 and 1794). His music was greatly admired by the royalty there, and he was hailed as the greatest musician of his day. The University of Oxford conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Music. His career in London was brilliant. He left London in 1795, and in January, 1797, moved to Gumpendorf, Vienna, where he continued to compose. But the final years of his life saw a significant decline in Haydn's health. By 1803, for all intents and purposes, Joseph had produced his last significant works. Pieces in progress were left unfinished. He was still hailed as a master musician throughout Europe, and received important guests in his home, but his strength was failing. His last triumph was a performance of Die Schopfung on March 27 1808 in the 'Grosse Saal' of the Vienna University to celebrate his 76th birthday. Beethoven, Hummel and Salieri, among others were there. Beethoven kissed his hand during the intermission. In early May, 1809, Napoleon's troops entered Vienna. Bombardment was almost constant, and Joseph suffered greatly from the noise. May 31, 1809 Franz Joseph Haydn slipped into a coma and died. Haydn's compositions include 108 symphonies, 24 operas, 12 Masses and 83 string quartets. |
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| Haydn: Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross Emerson String Quartet |
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| This cap asks an important question! If they don't, it's just another band! |
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| Did You Guess? Knock Three Times (on the ceiling if you want me . . . twice on the pipes (clank clank) if the answer is no) was released February 12, 1971. |
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| Click for St. Patrick's Day Fun! It's Closer Than You Think! |