In this post remembering important events from piano history in the month of May, learn about the births of several pianists and composers along with an important musical premiere that resulted in protest!
May 7, 1833 – Birth of Johannes Brahms
Born in Hamburg, Germany, Johannes Brahms was one of the most prominent composers of the nineteenth century. After being declared the heir to Beethoven’s legacy by Robert Schumann, Brahms’ status as a virtual unknown changed to that of a musical celebrity overnight. In addition to his significant symphonic and chamber output, Brahms is well known for his rich piano oeuvre which includes variation sets, sonatas, rhapsodies, and collections of miniatures. Curious to learn more about Brahms and his piano music? Check out these two videos about Brahms’ music by Catherine Kautsky and Jarred Dunn:
May 14, 1943 – Birth of Tania León
Born in Havanna, Cuba, Tania León is a leading Cuban-American composer. A student of Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa among others, her work as a conductor in addition to composer is well known. In 2021, León’s symphonic work Stride was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music recognizing her brilliant skill as a composer. León’s musical output is large and broad, and includes several piano compositions including some virtuoso works as well as a few at the late-intermediate and early-advanced levels. Interested in learning about more pedagogical pieces by women composers? Read Cole Bruger’s article below about works by women composers for elementary and early-intermediate students:
May 23, 1923 – Birth of Alicia de Larrocha
Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha was born in Barcelona, Spain. Prized for her interpretations of Spanish composers, her recordings have been awarded significant honors including multiple Grammy awards. Her recording of Albéniz’s masterpiece Iberia is one of her most acclaimed discs and includes all four books of this piece showcasing Spanish dances from regions throughout Spain. Want to learn more about Spanish music? Read this article by Nancy Bachus and Olga Kuehl-White to discover more about important Spanish composers and their work:
May 29, 1913 – Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring premieres
Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring is a ballet commissioned by Serge Diaghilev as part of the Ballets Russes. Despite the popularity of the work today, audiences in 1913 Paris reacted in outrage. Composed in two parts, the work depicts the sacrifice of a young girl during the arrival of spring. Along with the orchestral version, Stravinsky published a four-hand version for piano. Interested in learning more about this work? Check out William Fried’s article about his experience preparing and performing The Rite:
OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- WEBINAR: Brahms: Op. 118: A Piano Teacher’s Mecca with Catherine Kautsky
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Brahms Reconsidered: Deriving Applications of Rubato from the Music by Asher Armstrong
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Rewriting The Rite for Fun and Profit by William Fried
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO: Brahms: Intermezzo Op. 118, No. 2 by Catherine Kautsky
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO: Brahms: Intermezzi, Op. 117 by Jarred Dunn
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Brahms and the Women in His Life by Ruth Albert Spencer
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: The Teaching of Enrique Granados by Donald Alfano
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Elementary and Early-Intermediate Piano Music by Women by Cole Burger
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Understanding Spanish Music by Nancy Bachus and Olga Kuehl-White
- DISCOVERY PAGE: This Week in Piano History: National Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Day by Curtis Pavey
- Use our search feature to discover more!
Not yet a subscriber? Join for only $36/yr.
Want more than a preview?
Subscribe to unlock full videos, webinar archives, and articles!
