HAPPY NEW YEAR and HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Here are a few of my favorite composers that were born in January:
Muzio Clementi, the great Italian pianist and composer was born January 23, 1752 in Rome. He moved to London and manufactured pianos. The Clementi Sonatinas are a must for every piano student.

Cesar Cui, Russian composer was born on January 18, 1835 in Vilna.

Norman Dello-Joio, American composer was born January 24, 1913 in New York City. He studied composition with Hindemith. Norman Dello-Joio composed numerous piano and orchestra works, three piano sonatas and arranged seven beautiful Christmas piano duets.

Lowell Mason, the Father of Public School & Church music in America was born Janurary 8, 1792 in Medfield, Massachussetts.

William Mason, American pianist and composer was born on January 24, 1829 in Boston. His father was Lowell Mason the famous educator and hymn writer. William was a piano student of Franz Liszt. He gave concerts and composed many lovely piano solos.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austrian composer and pianist was born n January 27, 1756 in Salzburg. He was a true child prodigy.

Alfred Neiman, English composer and pianist was born on January 25, 1913 in London. Of all the numerous piano solos he composed, my favorite is "Evening in Sevilla" Op. 55, No. 2.

Francis Poulenc, French composer was born on January 7, 1899 in Paris.

Xavier Scharwenka, German pianist, teacher and composer was born on January 6, 1850 at Samter. He founded the Scharwenka Conservatory in Berlin along with his brother Philipp. Xavier Scharwenka's most famous piano solo is the Polish Dance in E-flat minor. Op. 3, No. 1.

Franz Schubert, the famous composer was born on January 31, 1797 in Lichtenthal near Vienna. He composed hundreds of lieder and piano works.

Sigismond Thalberg, Austrian pianist and composer, was born on January 8, 1812 in Geneva.

Alexander Tcherepnin, Russian - American composer - pianist was born January 20, 1899 in St. Petersburg. Tcherepnin's Bagatelles for piano are a must for serious students.

Other musicians of fame born in January include:

Victor Borge, Danish pianist and humorous concert entertainer was born on January 6, 1909 in Copenhagen.

Jerome Kern, American composer of musicals was born on January 27, 1885 in New York City.

Skitch Henderson, American bandleader and pianist was born on January 27, 1918 in Halstad, Minnesota.

Arthur Rubinstein, Polish born American concert piano virtuoso was born on January 28, 1887 in Lodz.

Albert Schweitzer, Alsatian-born organist, medical missionary, humanitarian, musicologist and author of "J.S. Bach" in two volumes. Dr. Schweitzer was the first musician to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947.

Elvis Presley, American rock star born on January 9, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Ruth Slenczynska, American pianist, child prodigy and teacher was born on January 15, 1925 in Sacramento, California. Her strict father forced her to practice at least seven hours a day and she was punished for making mistakes. I wish all piano students would read the book about her life titled, "Forbidden Childhood" and perhaps they would practice a little more on their own and appreciate the opportunity they are given.

Walter Piston, American composer and professor at Harvard was born on January 20, 1894 in Rockland, Maine.


It is my opinion that the most important of all these musicians born in January was Lowell Mason. Here is a biographical sketch of this great musical pioneer:

LOWELL MASON:

The Bicentennial of the birth of Lowell Mason was being celebrated during 1992. He was born January 8, 1792 in Medfield, Massachusetts. Although we remember him as the composer of "Nearer, my God, to Thee", "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", and "My Faith Looks Up to Thee", his influence has been felt in many other important areas of music.

Mason was the pioneer in teaching music in the public schools of America at a time when it was considered radical that children could sing or read music. He started singing classes in his church and had the children sing in a series of concerts to demonstrate that children could be taught to sing. Public interest was aroused and finally after Mason's tireless efforts, Boston became the first city in America to include music in the curriculum of grammar school. The committee also appointed Lowell Mason to be the first superintendent of music teaching in the schools of America.

According to Lowell Mason's philosophy of education in music, while music should not be considered an end in itself, its true merit is in the benefit it brings to the development of the whole personality. He said, 'It is not so much the object of education to store the mind with knowledge as to discipline it. That person is not the best educated who has learned the most, but he who knows best how to learn.'

In early childhood Mason's musical talent became apparent. Almost effortlessly he played every musical instrument available and spends his savings on the purchase of instruments and instruction books. Although self-taught, he was fortunate that several of his neighbors were musical and willing to help him learn. Public opinion at the time viewed such musical gifts as useless. His father wanted him to have a "practical" occupation. Lowell's father was a manufacturer of straw goods who invented several useful pieces of machinery. When Lowell was sixteen he not only helped his father in the manufacture of straw bonnets, he also took charge of the village church singers and for the following four years while living in Medfield he conducted various singing classes in neighboring towns and villages.

In 1812 an opportunity arouse which seemed to Lowell's father to be perfect for his son, namely, that the son should go to Savannah, Georgia, and devote himself to business. Though he served as a teller in a bank during the day, evening he devoted to the study and teaching of music. He became an active member in the Independent Presbyterian Church where he was choirmaster and organist for seven years.

Lowell married Abigail Gregory, of Westborough, Mass. on September 17, 1817. They had four sons, Daniel Gregory and Lowell who became music publishers, William, a famous concert pianist who was a pupil of Liszt and Henry who manufactured pianos (Mason & Hamlin).

Lowell Mason was a prolific composer and arranger of music for the church. He wrote several hundred hymns. The New Trinity Hymnal contains twenty-eight of Lowell Mason's hymns. His published works total over sixty beginning in 1821 with The Boston Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music. This book was an immediate success and influenced the musical taste of the entire country in a most positive way. That first book went through nineteen editions. When the book was first published Mason was not named as the editor, for as he later explained, "I was then a bank officer in Savannah and did not wish to be known as a musical man, and I had not the least thought of making music my profession."

The success of The Boston Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music has several important consequences. The book turned public attention to its author, causing him to make music his profession. Beginning with the ninth edition of the book, his name appeared on the title page as editor of the collection. He moved his family to Boston in the summer of 1827 to take up his work there as a church musician. That same year he was elected president of the Handel and Haydn Society. The duties of president included conducting the chorus rehearsals and concerts.

His reputation as a church musician was strengthened by his Address on Church Music, delivered by request on the evening of October 7, 1826 in the vestry of Hanover Church, and on the evening of the Monday following, in the Third Baptist Church, Boston. It was heard with great interest and soon after published. Here is a short portion of his address:

'Singing has been employed in the worship of God in all ages. The true worshipper has been accustomed to come into the presence of the Lord with thanksgiving, and into His courts with songs of gratitude and praise. The precepts and exhortations on this subject in the written word are familiar, and Christians of the various denominations at the present day seem, by the continuance of song in public worship, to acknowledge its importance. But yet the indifference with which it is treated, the inattention so often manifested during the hymn - service, and especially the failure to participate in it on the part of many, seem to indicate that its true end is far from being appreciated, and that, indeed, it has well-nigh ceased to be regarded as a religious educational element necessary to the highest attainment in Christian life.

…Let us, therefore, at this time give some attention first, to the DESIGN of singing in public worship, and afterwards consider its proper METHOD.

…For what purpose should we sing of have singing in public worship? An answer to these questions may be obtained from a consideration of the nature of the human voice. Our maker has bestowed upon us two methods of vocal expression, differing as well in form as in an appropriate usage. They are the song - voice and the speech - voice. The former is given not only to man, but to all animals having feelings to express; the latter is given to man alone. The former is adapted especially to the expression of feeling, the latter to that of thought. The song is in its nature emotional. . . . . To express our feelings, then, and of course our religious feelings, is the object of song in worship.'

In order that he might give more time to the teaching of music to children, Mason resigned in 1832 from the Handel and Haydn Society and founded the Boston Academy of Music. Realizing the need for the training of teachers for the public school music programs, he started "musical conventions". Horace Mann apparently had great confidence in Mason's pedagogical ability, for he employed him to teach at least five annual institutes which he promoted as secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education. He summed up this estimate in this remark, "it was well worth any young teacher's while to walk ten miles to hear a lecture of Dr. Mason."

In 1851 Lowell and his wife Abigail went to Europe and stayed for fifteen months. Mason gave many lectures and taught music classes for children. He wrote his observations and charming stores in a book titled, Musical Letters from Abroad. He even describes what the church services were like, how many people attended, what songs they sang and how the organist played. It is a most interesting book!

New York University awarded Lowell Mason the honorary degree of Doctor of Music in 1855 for his services to education. It was the first ever granted in America.

Mason moved to Orange, New Jersey, some twelve miles from New York City where he and his wife enjoyed their beautiful estate, known as "Silverspring", on the gentle rising slope of Orange Mountain. Lowell continued compiling hymnals and his sons published many of them. Lowell and Abigail celebrated their Golden anniversary. They welcomed from time to time numerous guests, clergyman, educators, former pupils and friends.

Lowell Mason died August 11, 1872 in Orange, New Jersey. He was a wonderful example of a godly husband and father. Lowell Mason was also one who preserved when no one would publish his first hymnal. He was generous to the point that he taught without pay for an entire year, and bought the music and materials for the pupils from his own pocket, until the committee would approve having music taught in the public schools and appropriate the necessary funds. He saw a need and filled it.