MARIE-ELIZABETH VON SACHSEN MEININGEN - GERMANY
BORN 23 SEPTEMBER
Princess Marie Elisabeth of Saxe-Meiningen (23 September 1853 – 22 February 1923) was the only daughter of Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, by his first wife, Princess Charlotte of Prussia. She was notable as a musician and composer. One of her most famous works is Romanze in F major for clarinet and piano.
As her father was a great patron of the stage and the founder of a national theater, Marie Elisabeth was raised in this environment, consequently becoming artistic and a great lover of music like her parents. She received a thorough education under the tutelage of Theodor Kirchner, a talented pianist. Her father was a great patron of German composer and pianist Johannes Brahms, who worked as a music teacher in Meiningen for various pupils, including Marie Elisabeth, whom he gave piano lessons to. In addition to Brahms, Marie Elisabeth was in close contact with other famous musicians, such as Richard Strauss, Franz Mannstädt, and Hans von Bülow.
Marie Elisabeth was a student of the Conservatorium; she and Prince Alexander of Hesse, another royal pupil of Brahms, celebrated the birthday of musician Joachim Raff in Frankfurt in 1886. There, they interpreted Brahm's Sonata (Op. 78) for pianoforte and violin in a special feature for the ceremony. At the 1878 wedding of her elder brother Bernhard to Princess Charlotte of Prussia, eldest daughter of German Crown Prince Frederick, Marie Elisabeth composed a piece of music specially meant for the occasion entitled torch dance.
As of 1913, Marie Elisabeth was the author of Einzugsmarsch for orchestra, Fackeltanz for piano as well as several other piano compositions. She also wrote a "pretty" Cradle Song for violin and piano, and, in 1892, she produced a Romanze in F major for clarinet and piano which had been influenced by Brahms' teachings. At her residence in Berchtesgaden, Marie Elisabeth received a regular circle of artists and encouraged talented singers by financing their education.
Marie Elisabeth died on 22 February 1923 in Obersendling. She never married, and is buried in the cemetery park in Meiningen.
♫ LISTEN
Romanze by Princess Marie Elisabeth of Saxe-Meiningen
VIERA JANÁCEKOVÁ - SLOVAKIA
BORN 23 SEPTEMBER
BORN 23 SEPTEMBER
Viera Janárčeková was born in Svit, Slovakia. She studied harpsichord and piano the State Conservatory in Bratislava and continued her studies at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. She also studied with Rudolf Firkušný in Lucerne. After completing her education in 1967 she taught music and performed as a pianist. She has resided in Homberg, Germany since 1972, and has worked as a composer since 1981. She received an invitation to be composer-in-residence for the International Festival in Lockenhaus in 2000.
Janárčeková composes mainly for chamber ensemble and instruments. Selected works include: Quadratura for cello; Banyan for bass clarinet and trombone; Der Geheimnissvolle Nachen
Aschenputtel trio for clarinet, violincello and piano; String Quartet No. 5.
♫ LISTEN
Tangomutanten by Viera Janárčeková
Tangomutanten by Viera Janárčeková
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