Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Debussy, Claude Achille

(Encyclopedia)Debussy, Claude Achille klôd äshēlˈ dəbüsēˈ [key], 1862–1918, French composer, exponent of musical impressionism. He studied for 11 years at the Paris Conservatory, receiving its Grand Prix ...

Brahms, Johannes

(Encyclopedia)Brahms, Johannes brämz, Ger. yōhänˈnĕs bräms [key], 1833–97, German composer, b. Hamburg. Brahms ranks among the greatest masters of the romantic period. The son of a musician, he early showed...

Masur, Kurt

(Encyclopedia)Masur, Kurt ko͝ort mäzo͝orˈ [key], 1927–2015, German conductor, b. Brieg, Germany (now Brzeg, Poland). Masur was noted for his authoritative performances of the German composers whose works form...

Ireland, John, English composer

(Encyclopedia)Ireland, John, 1879–1962, English composer. Inspired by visits to the Channel Islands, he wrote music of a simple, rugged beauty. His many songs include the cycle Songs of a Wayfarer (1903) and Sea ...

Paderewski, Ignace Jan

(Encyclopedia)Paderewski, Ignace Jan pădˌərĕfˈskē, Pol. ēnyäsˈ yän pädĕrĕfˈskē [key], 1860–1941, Polish pianist, composer, and statesman; studied at the Warsaw Conservatory and later with Theodor L...

Weber, Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von

(Encyclopedia)Weber, Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von frēˈdrĭkh ĕrnst fən vāˈbər [key], 1786–1826, German composer and pianist; pupil of Michael Haydn and Abbé Vogler. He made his debut as a pianist at 13 ...

Saint-Saëns, Charles Camille

(Encyclopedia)Saint-Saëns, Charles Camille shärl kämēˈyəˈ săN-säNs [key], 1835–1921, French composer. A child prodigy, he made his debut as a pianist at 10 and entered the Paris Conservatory in 1848. He ...

Civitali, Matteo

(Encyclopedia)Civitali, Matteo mät–tĕˈō chēvētäˈlē [key], 1436–1501, Italian sculptor and architect, born and worked in Lucca, where his work is best represented. Trained in Florence, he executed elabo...

Sassoferrato

(Encyclopedia)Sassoferrato säsˌsōfār-räˈtō [key], 1605–85, Italian painter; pupil of Domenichino. His original name was Giovanni Battista Salvi. He is best known for his sentimental Madonnas, reminiscent o...

Browse by Subject