Archives: Composers

  • Lauber, Joseph

    Lauber (1864-1952) studied in Munich and Paris and pursued a career as an organist, composer and teacher, subsequently becoming professor at Zurich and Geneva conservatoires. He was a prolific composer, writing in many genres, and his music has been described by harpist Alison Young as “rich, romantic and pastoral with a Swiss flavour – something…

  • Quantz, Johann Joachim

    Johann Joachim Quantz was born in Obersheden, Hannover on 30 January 1697 and was a celebrated German flautist, composer and writer. He was a member of the Polish Chapel of Augustus III, working mainly in Dresden, and from about 1740 worked for Frederick the Great in Berlin. Quantz was a prolific composer, writing primarily for…

  • Mason, Douglas

    Douglas began his musical training as a chorister in Gloucester Cathedral Choir under John Sanders. He subsequently read music at Durham University, and went on to train as a music teacher at Leeds University, also singing professionally as a lay clerk in the Choir of Leeds Parish Church at this time. As a composer, Douglas…

  • Pergolesi, Giovanni Battista

    (1710-1736) An Italian Baroque composer, violinist and organist, is considered to be one of the greatest Italian musicians of the first half of the 18th-century and is one of the most important representatives of the Neapolitan school. Although he died at the age of 26, he composed a wealth of music in different genres, notably…

  • Bantock, Granville

    1868-1946 A prolific British composer, writing in most genres, alongside a successful career as a conductor and Professor of Music. He became Principal of the Birmingham and Midland Institute School of Music in 1900, succeeded Edward Elgar as Peyton Professor of Music at University of Birmingham (1908-34), and was influential in founding the City of…

  • Ratez, Emile

    Born: November 5, 1851, in Besançon, France.Died: May 19, 1934, in Lille, France. A French composer, conductor, and violist who played a significant role in the music scene during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though not widely known today, he was an active figure in French musical life, particularly in the realm of…

  • Capuzzi, Antonio

    Born: August 1, 1755, in Brescia, Italy.Died: March 28, 1818, in Bergamo, Italy. An Italian composer, violinist, and conductor, best known for his contributions to classical string music, particularly for the double bass. Though not as widely remembered as some of his contemporaries, Capuzzi’s works, especially his Concerto for Double Bass in D major, have…

  • Nolck, August

    Born: February 9, 1862, in Lübeck, Germany.Died: December 12, 1928, in Leipzig, Germany. A German cellist, composer, and teacher who made significant contributions to the repertoire of the cello. While he may not be as widely known as some of his contemporaries, Nölck was a prolific composer, particularly for his instrument, and his works are…

  • Schlemuller, Gustav

    Little is known about Gustav Schlemüller but primarily for his work related to the double bass. His compositions are celebrated in the world of double bass performance, particularly for their technical challenges and musicality. His most famous piece, “Perpetuum Mobile”, is a virtuosic showpiece for the double bass. It requires both speed and dexterity, highlighting…

  • Laska, Gustav

    Born: September 29, 1847, in Brno, Moravia (modern-day Czech Republic).Died: February 16, 1928, in Vienna, Austria. A Czech composer, conductor, and bass singer. Though not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, he made notable contributions to the music scene in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Láska’s career was multifaceted, and his…