Featured Composers March 2024

Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) was a German composer, pianist, organist, and conductor of the early Romantic period. Born into a prominent family in Hamburg, Mendelssohn showed exceptional musical talent from a young age. He received early musical training from his mother and later studied composition with renowned teachers in Berlin.

Mendelssohn’s compositions spanned a wide range of genres, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, piano works, choral music, and operas. His music is characterized by its melodic inventiveness, harmonic richness, and technical brilliance, drawing inspiration from classical forms while also embracing Romantic expression.

Among Mendelssohn’s most famous works are his Overture and incidental music for Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which includes the beloved “Wedding March,” as well as symphonies such as the “Italian” and “Scottish” Symphonies. He also composed the oratorios “St. Paul” and “Elijah,” which remain staples of the choral repertoire.

Mendelssohn’s contributions to music extended beyond composition. He was a highly regarded conductor and played a key role in reviving interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, conducting the first performance of Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” in over a century in 1829. Mendelssohn’s advocacy for Bach’s music helped to establish Bach’s reputation as one of the greatest composers of all time.

Throughout his life, Mendelssohn enjoyed success and acclaim throughout Europe, earning admiration from both audiences and fellow musicians. His ten visits to Britain were particularly significant, where he premiered many of his major works and became a central figure in British musical life.

Despite his relatively short life, Mendelssohn left behind a lasting legacy in the world of classical music. His works continue to be performed and cherished by musicians and audiences worldwide, firmly establishing him as one of the most beloved composers of the Romantic era.

Brian Katona is a regional Emmy® Award-winning composer and Telly® Award-winning producer. His recent film and television credits include “The Red River Flood” (Emmy® Nominated Producer, Yucca Valley Film Festival Winner, Garden State Film Festival Winner, Paris Art & Movie Awards Nominee, South Dakota Film Festival Nominee), “The Long Hair” (Telly Award Winner, Tracks Music Award Winner, Munich Film Awards Winner, Venice Shorts Winner, Global Music Awards Winner), and “The Builder” (Emmy® Award Winner for Best Musical Composition).

He also received recognition for his work on “A Hope For Hartly” (Best Melodic Theme, Garden State Film Festival) and “PEI Kids: Generation Change” (Film: Broader Vision Award, Garden State Film Festival). Additionally, his theater credits include “Jesse James: Dead or Alive.” Brian Katona has contributed to commercial recordings such as “The Voice of Christmas: The Night Before Christmas” and “A Christmas Journey: I Wonder What I’ll Get for Christmas.” His published concert music through Imagine Music includes compositions like “Anthem for the Patriots,” “Space Battle,” “Space Fantasy,” “When I Hear Music,” and “An Irish Blessing.”

Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) was a Norwegian composer and pianist, widely regarded as one of the leading Romantic era composers. Born in Bergen, Norway, Grieg showed early musical talent and began studying piano at a young age. Despite financial challenges, he pursued his musical education in Leipzig, Germany, where he was influenced by the works of Robert Schumann and Franz Liszt.

Grieg’s compositions often drew inspiration from Norwegian folk music and landscapes, contributing to the development of a distinctly Norwegian musical identity. His most famous work, the incidental music for Henrik Ibsen’s play “Peer Gynt,” includes the well-known pieces “Morning Mood” and “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”

Throughout his career, Grieg composed a wide range of music, including piano pieces, chamber music, songs, and orchestral works. His lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and evocative use of folk elements characterize his style, earning him international acclaim.

Despite struggling with health issues throughout his life, Grieg remained dedicated to his music, advocating for Norwegian music and culture. His legacy continues to influence generations of composers and musicians, firmly establishing him as one of Norway’s most celebrated cultural figures.

Jacques Offenbach (1819–1880) was a French-German composer and cellist known for his operettas, which were highly popular during the 19th century. Born in Cologne, Germany, Offenbach moved to Paris in his youth to pursue a career in music. Initially trained as a cellist, he later turned to composing.

Offenbach’s breakthrough came with the success of his operetta “Orphée aux enfers” (Orpheus in the Underworld) in 1858. This work, known for its lively and satirical portrayal of Greek mythology, established his reputation as a composer of light and entertaining music.

Throughout his career, Offenbach composed over a hundred operettas, including “La Belle Hélène,” “La Vie parisienne,” and “La Périchole,” among others. His works often featured catchy melodies, witty lyrics, and humorous plots, making them immensely popular with audiences of his time.

Despite his commercial success, Offenbach faced criticism from some quarters for the perceived frivolity of his music. However, he also composed several more serious operas, such as “Les contes d’Hoffmann” (The Tales of Hoffmann), which is now considered one of his masterpieces.

Offenbach’s influence extended beyond the stage, as his music became part of the cultural fabric of Parisian society. He played a significant role in shaping the genre of operetta and paved the way for later composers such as Johann Strauss II and Franz Lehár.

Offenbach’s legacy continues to be celebrated today, with his operettas still performed worldwide and admired for their wit, charm, and musical craftsmanship. He remains one of the most enduringly popular composers of light opera in the classical music canon.

Franz Schubert (1797–1828) was an Austrian composer widely recognized as one of the greatest composers of the early Romantic era. Born in Vienna, Schubert demonstrated exceptional musical talent from a young age, receiving training in piano, violin, and composition.

Despite his relatively short life, Schubert’s output was prolific and diverse, encompassing symphonies, chamber music, piano sonatas, operas, and over 600 lieder (German art songs). His compositions are characterized by their lyrical melodies, harmonic richness, and emotional depth, reflecting the spirit of Romanticism.

Schubert’s contributions to the art song genre are particularly significant. His lieder, often set to texts by poets such as Goethe, Schiller, and Heine, explore a wide range of themes including love, nature, and existential longing. Works such as “Erlkönig,” “Gretchen am Spinnrade,” and “Der Lindenbaum” remain cornerstones of the lieder repertoire.

In addition to his vocal music, Schubert wrote nine symphonies, including the famous “Unfinished Symphony” and the “Great” C major Symphony. His chamber music output includes masterpieces like the “Trout Quintet” and the “Death and the Maiden” String Quartet.

Despite his artistic achievements, Schubert struggled financially and professionally throughout much of his life, earning little recognition outside of his circle of friends and fellow musicians. He lived in poverty and ill health, exacerbated by syphilis, until his untimely death at the age of 31.

Posthumously, Schubert’s music gained widespread acclaim, with composers such as Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Brahms championing his work. His influence extended well into the 19th and 20th centuries, inspiring composers from Mahler to Britten.

Today, Schubert is regarded as one of the most important composers in the Western classical tradition, admired for his remarkable melodic gift, harmonic inventiveness, and profound emotional expression. His music continues to be performed and cherished by musicians and audiences worldwide.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was a German composer and pianist widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western classical music. Born in Bonn, Germany, Beethoven showed musical talent from an early age, receiving his early education from his father, a singer and musician.

Beethoven’s early career in Vienna was marked by his virtuosity as a pianist and his innovative compositions. He quickly gained recognition as a brilliant improviser and composer, earning the patronage of influential figures such as Prince Lichnowsky and Archduke Rudolf.

Despite facing personal struggles, including progressive hearing loss that began in his late twenties and eventually led to total deafness, Beethoven’s output during his “heroic period” (roughly 1803–1814) was prolific and groundbreaking. He expanded the scope and ambition of instrumental music, particularly in his symphonies, piano sonatas, and string quartets.

Some of Beethoven’s most iconic works come from this period, including the Third Symphony, known as the “Eroica,” the Fifth Symphony with its famous opening motif, the “Emperor” Piano Concerto, and the “Appassionata” and “Waldstein” Piano Sonatas.

In his later years, Beethoven continued to push the boundaries of musical expression, even as his health declined. His late works, such as the Ninth Symphony with its groundbreaking choral finale featuring Friedrich Schiller’s “Ode to Joy,” and the introspective String Quartets, particularly the transcendent late quartets, are considered among his greatest achievements.

Beethoven’s legacy extends far beyond his own time, influencing countless composers and shaping the course of Western music. His innovative approach to form, harmony, and expression bridged the Classical and Romantic eras, leaving an indelible mark on the development of music.

Today, Beethoven’s music remains universally admired for its emotional depth, intellectual rigor, and sheer power. His status as a cultural icon is reflected in his enduring popularity and the celebration of his works in concert halls, recordings, and popular culture worldwide.

Brian Balmages is a prominent American composer, conductor, and educator known for his captivating and diverse compositions across various genres. Born in 1975, Balmages showed an early interest in music and began composing at a young age.

Balmages’ music is characterized by its accessibility, innovation, and emotional depth, making it popular among performers and audiences alike. He has written extensively for concert band, orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments, with a catalog that includes over 600 works.

As an accomplished conductor, Balmages has led performances of his own compositions as well as repertoire from the classical and contemporary music canon. He has conducted professional, collegiate, and student ensembles around the world, earning acclaim for his dynamic and expressive interpretations.

In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Balmages is a dedicated educator. He has served as a clinician and guest conductor at music festivals, workshops, and conferences, sharing his expertise with students and educators at all levels.

Balmages’ compositions span a wide range of styles and themes, from energetic and rhythmic works to poignant and lyrical pieces. His music often explores universal themes such as hope, resilience, and the human experience, resonating with performers and audiences alike.

Throughout his career, Balmages has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music education and composition. His works are regularly performed by ensembles worldwide, and he continues to inspire musicians with his innovative and evocative compositions.