This tremendous violinist, composer, and conductor was
- born in Bonn (in the same house as Beethoven)
- introduced symphonies by Haydn and Mozart to London
- may have had a hand in the libretto for Haydn's "Creation"
- was regarded by all as kind, generous, and a sensitive performer
- and he was Jewish!
Meet Johann Peter Salomon!
Dédé's "Morgiane"
It's admittedly a stretch calling this "Early Music", but it's too exciting (and too important) to not share! Bringing Morgiane Back to Life
Sulpitia Cesis
While reading about music in convents in Italy I came across someone new! Meet Sulpitia Cesis!
Tarquinia Molza
Meet Tarquinia Molza: instrumentalist, singer, poet, composer, and scientist! After receiving the same education as her brothers, she studied astronomy and science, was involved with the Concerto delle donne and the courts in Mantua and Ferrara, and became the first woman given Roman citizenship in 1600! There also may (or may not) have been a thing with Giaches de Wert...
Rachel Baptist
A celebrated Black Irish singer, known for singing works by Thomas Arne, George Frideric Handel, and other popular music from the 1700s... meet Rachel Baptist!
Massimo Troiano
Music History should never be a boring class! For example:
Massimo Troiano
- Italian Renaissance composer
- worked in the Bavarian Court in Munich (for Lassus)
- disappeared in 1570 after being accused of murdering one of his colleagues
Water Music
A hike along a river today reminded me of the stories about Handel’s Water Music and how he (allegedly) used it to get back in King George’s good graces. Curious about those stories? Read more here!
Pierre Alamire, Spy
Musicians throughout history have taken on extra jobs to make ends meet, but perhaps none quite as exciting as that of espionage! Meet Pierre Alamire (Peter van den Hove): a composer, copyist responsible for gathering some of the best works of the Franco-Flemish school, and spy!
Aleotti
So you want to be a composer (in 16-17th century Italy)? First become an accomplished musician, then join a convent...
Sawney Freeman
Confronting the past can be uncomfortable but it's SO important not only to inform our present but also to keep from losing contributions of forgotten musicians like Sawney Freeman. What an important effort from the Episcopal church, library, and musician communities in Connecticut! Make sure to watch the video as well to hear his music!