Carnegie Hall

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was born in Bonn, Germany. After beginning his piano studies at an early age with his father, Beethoven quickly became a famous pianist and composer in Germany. By the age of 12, he was earning a living for his family as an organist, violist, pianist, and composer. Although Beethoven began to suffer from hearing loss as early as his 20s, he continued to compose, creating some of his most famous musical works after he had become deaf. Beethoven’s originality and innovation inspired others to change the way they composed. He amplified the power of orchestral music, and his music acted as a transition into the Romantic era of music. Fun fact: One of Beethoven’s favorite foods was a special kind of macaroni and cheese!

Concert Repertoire: “Ode to Joy”

Thomas Cabaniss (b. 1962) is a composer and educator born in Charleston, South Carolina. Residing in New York City, Cabaniss teaches at The Juilliard School and leads arts education programs throughout the city. His music ranges from chamber music to operas and film scores. He is a creative adviser for Carnegie Hall’s Link Up program, and helped launch Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project, which helps pregnant women, new mothers, and their families write songs for their children. Cabaniss uses his music to encourage collaboration and help institutions support partnerships between artists and communities.

Concert Repertoire: “Come to Play”

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) was born in a small village in Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. Hailing from a musical family, Dvořák began studying the violin at the age of six, and was soon performing with his father and the village band at the family inn. His musical talent led him to study in Prague, where he graduated as an accomplished violinist and violist before the age of 20. Dvořák is known for integrating elements of Bohemian and other Slavic folk music into many of his works, including his Slavonic Dances. He moved to New York City to accept a position as head of the National Conservatory of Music in 1892. A year later, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World,” was premiered by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

Concert Repertoire: “New World” Symphony

Reena Esmail (b. 1983) is an Indian American composer. Her primary instrument is the piano, and she also plays guitar and violin and sings Indian music. Esmail studied composition at The Juilliard School and Yale School of Music, and spent a year studying Hindustani classical music on a Fulbright scholarship in India. She writes music for orchestras, choirs, and chamber groups all over the country, including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Seattle Symphony, and Kronos Quartet. Esmail loves bringing people from different cultures and communities together through her music. When she isn’t composing, she enjoys doing math and spending time with her dog, Rusty.

Concert Repertoire: “Ram Tori Maya”

Nathalie Joachim (b. 1983) is a Haitian American flutist, composer, and vocalist, and co-founder of the urban art-pop duo Flutronix. Her debut solo album, Fanm d’Ayiti, was recorded with Spektral Quartet and received a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album. Joachim loves engaging in community-centered storytelling, and often takes spoken histories of a place and makes music from those stories. When she isn’t composing, she enjoys cooking and riding her bike.

Concert Repertoire: “We Shall Not Be Moved”

Jim Papoulis (b. 1961) lives in New York City and composes, orchestrates, and conducts music for dance, film, ensembles, and choirs. His compositions are known for exploring new modes of musical communication by honoring and connecting classical and traditional forms with non-Western sounds. Through the Foundation for Small Voices, he has conducted songwriting workshops around the world; he composed “Oye” while working with young children in Mexico. Papoulis has worked with a wide range of artists, including Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Boys Choir, Beijing Children’s Choir, Faith Hill, Natalie Cole, Snoop Dogg, Slash, and Beyoncé.

Concert Repertoire: “Oye”

Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971) was a Russian composer who began taking piano lessons at the age of nine. Though his father was a famous opera singer, Stravinsky’s own musical talent developed slowly. While studying law and philosophy at St. Petersburg University, he began taking composition lessons from famous Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, who greatly advanced Stravinsky’s interests and skill in composition. Stravinsky’s music for the ballet The Firebird quickly earned him fame and recognition. He went on to write music for other ballets, including The Rite of Spring, which is about a pagan ritual. The opening night audience found the music and choreography so shocking that there was a riot in the theater! Stravinsky was forced to flee Russia during World War I, which led him to Switzerland, France, and eventually the United States. Stravinsky had a strong ability to compose with diverse influences, and his composition style evolved greatly throughout his life. Stravinsky conducted at Carnegie Hall 41 times, and the Hall has premiered 43 of his works.

Concert Repertoire: Finale from The Firebird Suite