CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH BIG MIKE
Happy Birthday Beethoven!
On Dec. 16*, 1770, one of the giants in classical music, the great composer and pianist, Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany. Historians are in some dispute on the exact date of his birth. *His birthday is celebrated on the 16th because he was baptized on Dec. 17, and most think that means…
Keep readingMoving The Beauty Along
In classical music some of the most beautiful moving and romantic melodies are pieces that are usually scored in the speed of adagio or andante [i.e., slow tempo], but that is not always the case. There are some great pieces of melodic music where the whole piece or movement of a piece is scored in…
Keep readingThis Russian Composer’s Music Has Become a Staple In Two American Holidays
As we are nearing the Christmas season 2025, I repeat this post first published a few years ago. Sometimes I will ask classical music lovers who is their favorite composer and almost always the names of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach will come up. In fact, that is the names I would mention when asked who…
Keep readingThe Second Most Important Person of a Symphony Orchestra
Of course, all of the virtuoso orchestra players are critically important to a good symphony orchestra. Without them there would be no orchestra. But acknowledging that, I think it is recognized that the most important person needed for a good symphony orchestra is the conductor [director] of the orchestra. Also, known as the maestro, a…
Keep readingHappy Heavenly Birthday Aaron Copland
On this Friday, November 14, 2025, we say Happy 125th Birthday, Aaron Copland! Known as the “Dean of American composers”, Aaron Copland was born in Brooklyn, NY, in the first year of the 20th Century, November 14, 1900. He lived 90 years until December 2, 1990 where he was living in New York City. From…
Keep readingClassical Music Is Exciting
I can understand people who like different genres of music who may not like classical music or it might not be their favorite music to listen to. Everyone has a right to their opinion and their choice of music. What I don’t understand is those people who don’t like classical music or who may have…
Keep readingTeenage Brilliance
Can you remember when you were a teenager? I think I would be safe to say not many of you were composing chamber music at that age. Well, the 16 year old Felix Mendelssohn was not only composing music at that age but he composed one of the greatest and most beloved chamber music pieces…
Keep readingHappy Birthday Franz Liszt!
Hungarian pianist and Romantic Era composer, Franz Liszt, was born this day, October 22, in the year 1811. Franz Liszt was one of the greatest piano virtuosos of his time. From Britannica.com-bio-Franz Liszt: “Franz Liszt, … (born October 22, 1811, Doborján, kingdom of Hungary, Austrian Empire [now Raiding, Austria]—died July 31, 1886, Bayreuth, Germany), Hungarian…
Keep readingHappy Birthday George Gershwin
On September 26, 1898 in Brooklyn, NY was born one of the greatest American composers [maybe the most popular and beloved], the virtuoso pianist, George Gershwin [born Jacob Gershovitz]. This son of Jewish immigrants, teamed with his brother Ira Gershwin, to produce some of the greatest broadway musical tunes ever. Gershwin also composed solo piano…
Keep readingHappy Birthday to Two Great Americans
On this Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, I say: Happy Birthday, Sheralyn! Sheralyn, the fetching Mrs. B., is my love, my life, my wife. God has blessed me with such a wonderful wife, without who I would be lost in this world. On November 11, 1982 Sheralyn and I were blessed with our wonderful daughter, Ebony…
Keep readingLike Baroque, Like Classical
Maybe the greatest composer ever, Johann Sebastian Bach, aka J.S. Bach, had a large musical family as he gave birth to four great musicians and composers, two by his first wife and two by his second wife. Maybe the best of those four was Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach whose mother was Maria Barbara Bach [J.S.…
Keep readingJohn Field – The Irish Mozart
One of the greatest and most popular composers of all time was the quintessential Classical Era composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His popularity and acknowledged brilliance as a composer was so recognized by all, that it is no wonder we have other composers often compared to him. There is Juan Arriaga, who is sometimes called, “The…
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Classical Music With Big Mike 