Musicians and Composers/Columbine

September 1, 1854 - Engelbert Humperdinck, the composer best remembered for his opera Hansel and Gretel, was born in Seigburg, Germany.

September 1, 1944 - Leonard Slatkin, the great American conductor was born in Los Angeles, California.

September 2, 1863 - Isador Philipp, the French pianist and professor of piano at the Paris Conservatory, was born in Paris.

September 5, 1781 - Anton Diabelli, the Austrian composer and music publisher was born in Mattsee. A theme he composed was used by Beethoven for 32 variations. Diabelli published the works of Franz Schubert.

September 5, 1820 - Louis Kohler, the German pianist and composer of numerous piano studies, was born in Brunswick, Germany.

September 5, 1867 - Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (Mrs. H. H. A. Beach) was born in Henniker, New Hampshire. She composed numerous piano works, vocal solos, choral anthems, a piano concerto, Gaelic Symphony and the opera Cabildo.

September 5, 1912 - John Cage was born in Las Angeles, California. He was an experimental composer who developed "prepared piano" by putting various things in a piano to make unusual sounds.

September 6, 1882 - John Powell, the American pianist and composer who was a collector of Southern folk songs was born in Richmond, Virginia. He was a organizer of regional choral festivals and also was an amateur astronomer who discovered a comet.

September 7, 1921 - Arthur Ferrante, the American duo pianist with Louis Teicher was born in New York City.

September 8, 1841 - Anton Dvorak, the Czeck composer was born in Muhlhausen.

September 11, 1786 - Friedrich Kuhlau, the German pianist, teacher and composer was born in Ulzen. He fled to Copenhagen to avoid having to serve in Napoleon's Army.

September 13, 1819 - Clara Schumann, composer and concert pianist was born in Leipzig. She was the wife of Robert Schumann.

September 13, 1874 - Arnold Schoenberg, the Austrian-American composer was born in Vienna. He invented the 12-tone scale and method of composition using all 12 tones before repeating a note. He was a strong influence in the twentieth-century atonal music.

September 14, 1737 - Michael Haydn, the younger brother of Franz Haydn was born in Rohrau, Austria. He also was a composer.

September 14, 1760 - Luigi Cherubini, the Italian composer was born in Florence.

September 16, 1887 - Nadia Boulanger, the French composition teacher of many prominent American and European composers, was born in Paris. Her sister Lili was also a composer.

September 19, 1829 - Gustav Schirmer, the founder of one of the largest music publishing firms in America was born in Germany.

September 21, 1737 - Francis Hopkinson, the American statesman, composer and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also designed the American flag.

September 23, 1930 - Ray Charles, the blind American jazz singer and pianist was born in Albany, Georgia.

September 25, 1683 - Jean Philippe Rameau, the French composer, theorist and organist was born in Dijon, France.

September 25, 1906 - Dmitri Shostakovich, the Soviet composer, pianist was born in St. Petersburg.

September 26, 1898 - George Gershwin, the great American composer or piano music, popular songs and musical comedies, was born in Brooklyn. He is best known for the popular Rhapsody in Blue for piano and orchestra.

September 27, 1879 - Cyril Scott, the English composer was born in Exton.