February is a month of reflection and celebration as we observe Black History Month and Valentine’s Day. It is also a time of remembrance and commemoration as we recall many important composers and pianists. Read below to discover more about a famous pianist and showman, the lives of two different composers, and a celebrated American who received the Gershwin Prize.
February 4 – Liberace Day
Liberace, born as Władziu Valentino Liberace, passed away on February 4, 1987 at age 67. February 4th is celebrated as “Liberace Day” to remember his work and impact. A remarkable pianist and TV personality, Liberace inspired millions of people with his exciting performances featuring his legendary showmanship. His career began to take off after a performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age twenty, as well as due to many performances of jazz and other musical styles at nightclubs.1 It did not take long for him to become a worldwide sensation with massive record sales and performances in important venues around the globe.2 Curious to hear a performance of Liberace? Watch this video featuring Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance.
February 10, 1816 – Birth of Albert Ellmenreich
Albert Ellmenreich, the composer of the popular intermediate work Spinning Song, was born on February 10, 1816 in Karlsruhe, Germany. Although not much is known about his life, we do know that he regularly performed on stage as an actor, musician, and dancer. Do you have a student who wants to learn the Spinning Song? Check out this video by Julie Knerr who provides valuable pedagogical tips to help prepare a successful performance:
February 16, 1987 – The Death of Kabalevsky
On February 16, we remember Dmitry Borisovich Kabalevsky, a remarkable composer of works for both the developing musician and the concert pianist. A graduate and later professor of the Moscow Conservatory, Kabalevsky began writing music for children early in his career.3 He is known as a pedagogical composer for his imaginative character pieces that span all levels of the pianist’s repertoire. One of his many popular pieces, “Toccatina” from Thirty Pieces for Children, Op. 27, has been a staple of early-intermediate repertoire. In the video below, watch as Elvina Pearce shares pedagogical wisdom from her experience teaching this piece:
February 25, 2009 – Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song Awardee
On February 25, 2009, Stevie Wonder was announced as the winner of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Born on May 13, 1950, Stevie Wonder has captivated listeners worldwide with his incredible talent. Wonder became blind shortly after his birth and has led an exceptional life as a concert artist and musician.4 Want to see an early recording of Wonder singing and performing at the piano? Watch the video below to see him in action as he performs “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” from 1974:
NOTES
- Martha Woodward and Robert Skinner, “Liberace,” Grove Music Online, 2001, Accessed 4 Feb. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000047008.
- Woodward and Skinner, “Liberace,” Grove Music Online.
- Dina Grigor′yevna Daragan, “Kabalevsky, Dmitry Borisovich,” Grove Music Online, 2001; Accessed 4 Feb. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000014573.
- David Brackett, “Wonder, Stevie,” Grove Music Online, 31 Jan. 2014; Accessed 4 Feb. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002259424.
OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- PIANO MAGAZINE ARTICLE: How Do You Assign Repertoire to the “Overstretched” Student Who Has Little Time to Practice? by Nancy Bachus, Sheila Vail, and E.L. Lancaster
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO SERIES: Kabalevsky: Clowns, Op. 39, No. 20 by Andrea McAlister
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO SERIES: Kabalevsky: Running Along, Op. 39, No. 6 by Craig Sale
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO SERIES: Kabalevsky Toccatina, Op. 27, No. 12 by Elvina Pearce
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO SERIES: Kabalevsky: Variations on a Russian Folksong, Op. 51 by Qiwen Wan
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO SERIES: Ellmenreich: Spinning Song by Julie Knerr
- Use our search feature to discover more!
Not yet a subscriber? Join for only $7.99/mo or $36/yr.
SourceS
Brackett, David. “Wonder, Stevie.” Grove Music Online. 31 Jan. 2014; Accessed 4 Feb. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002259424.
Daragan, Dina Grigor′yevna. “Kabalevsky, Dmitry Borisovich.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 4 Feb. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000014573.
Woodward, Martha, and Robert Skinner. “Liberace.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 4 Feb. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000047008.