Beethoven

One of the most well-know composers of history is Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven was born in Germany in 1770. He grew up during a point in history when the ideas people held about music were beginning to change. His father was talented musician and he was attracted to music at a young age. His father began to teach him to play the piano and the violin before he was six years old. He played in his first public performance when he was just a child and his father was so impressed that he sent Beethoven to a school that would focus more on his musical abilities. There he was introduced to compositions by renowned composers such as J.S Bach and he excelled as a pianist and as a composer. Throughout his career he wrote over 200 different musical works.

Scherzo

The scherzo was introduced into the symphony and sonata during the Romantic Period and was made use of by composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonio Brunelli, and Johann Sebastian Bach. The scherzo replaces a portion of a long work containing several movements. The word literally translates to being a fast or lively movement of a composition. Beethoven included scheri in many of his works such as his Pastoral Symphony and Sonata No. 18 and they are usually written in triple meter. Composers continued to embrace the concept of the scherzo and write them into their compositions up into the Baroque and 19th century periods.

The Oratorio

I believe that the most significant musical contribution during the Baroque period is the oratorio. The word “oratorio” essentially refers to a prayer. An oratorio is a rather extensive compilation of various operatic pieces. The oratorio is similar to the opera but the compositions and lyrics included in an oratorio are usually based on the life of Christ. Every oratorio tells a story from the Bible through music without intricate backdrops and structured dramatic scenes. Personally, what I like best about the oratorio, in contrast to the orchestral arrangements, is that composers of the oratorios include solo vocals and choir parts are combined with the orchestra.

George Fredrick Handel

In my opinion, one of the more esteemed classical composers is George Fredrick Handel. He started out in law school but decided he would rather play and compose music instead. Handel is probably most recognized for his oratorios and operas. He was also an outstanding organist, and played a number of other instruments including the violin and the harpsichord. One well-known composition is the “Hallelujah Chorus” which throughout the years has been incorporated in a vast number of movies, television commercials, and all styles of choral arrangements. This composition is only a single masterpiece out of one of Handel’s oratorios, “Messiah”.

Guillaume Dufay mini-bio

Guillaume Dufay is a well known Renaissance composer who lived and composed music during the early-to-mid-fifteenth century. He was born in Beersel, near Brussels, then moved to Cambrai and sang in the church with the other choirboys. Professors noticed him and were impressed by his talent. By the age of sixteen years old he held much favor among members of the church, therefore, he excelled as a musician fairly quickly. As he got older he decided to venture into Rome and France. Dufay sang in several different choirs. He also held several prestigious positions, providing service in the church beneath several different popes and dukes in Rome and Florence.

Basic Steps for Baking a Pizza

The first step involved in baking a pizza is gathering together all of the ingredients necessary for the crust and any toppings that the baker is planning to add onto the pizza. Next, mix water, sugar, and the yeast together then let the dough sit for about ten minutes to make sure the dough is going to rise. When this mixture begins to foam, add flour (in small increments at a time)and stir the combination until all flour is added. It is important at this point in the process to start kneading the dough. When the dough has risen the cook must shape or toss the dough. After spreading sauce on the pizza crust the only steps left are to add toppings and to bake the pizza.

Roles of a Repetiteur

Steven Moore mentions that staging a musical and planning rehearsals would be impossible without a repetiteur. All of the singers and language coaches work together, but without the repetiteur there is no way a rehearsal could take place. The repetiteur is responsible for playing the piano in practice, coaching singers, and assisting in other areas of performance such as pronunciation as well as acting as a mediator for component parts of an opera. The author concludes in writing that “if you want to be a conductor, being a repetiteur is a tried and true way to learn.”