All of us have dreams, but in order to turn our dreams into reality, we must persevere, believe in our abilities and have a strong support system. Many famous composers achieved success, not only because of their innate talent, but due to the love and guidance of the people around them. Let's take a look at notable composers whose first musical influence were their dads.
1. Dietrich Buxtehude
from Wikimedia Commons
Buxtehude was an organist and highly-regarded composer of church music who influenced other composers such as George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach is said to have walked from Thuringia to Lubeck (more than 200 miles) to hear him play. Details of his childhood are uncertain, but his early influence may have been his father who was an organist and school master.
2. Johann Sebastian Bach
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Bach was a composer, keyboard virtuoso, concert master and chapel master. He wrote more than 1,000 compositions in every genre except opera. Bach's works are listed using the letters BWV followed by a number. BWV stands for Bach Werke Verzeichnis (Bach Works Catalogue); a catalog of Bach's works arranged by genre. His father taught him how to play the violin and harpsichord.
3. Francesca Caccini
Nicknamed La Cacchina (The Songbird), Francesca Caccini was a prominent female composer of the Baroque period and the first known female composer to write a full opera. Aside from being a composer, she was also a poet, vocalist and musician. Francesca Caccini came from a family of musicians. Her father; Guilio Caccini, was a composer and member of the Florentine Camerata.4. Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre
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Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre was one of the most notable women composers during the Baroque period. She was known as a gifted harpsichordist, improviser and composer. She came from a musically talented family; her father was an organist,
5. Jean-Philippe Rameau
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Rameau was a French organist, harpsichord teacher, music theorist and composer. A very inspiring fact about this composer is that many of his works, especially his operas, were written when he was already in his 50s. Rameau was embroiled in several controversies; the first was brought about by those who supported the works of Lully and the second by those who favored the style reflected in Pergolesi's works. His father was an organist at St. Etienne in Dijon and was his earliest influence.
6. Domenico Scarlatti
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He was an Italian composer of the Baroque period. Scarlatti was a harpsichord virtuoso who wrote over 500 sonatas. His influence reverberates in the works of other composers such as Carlos de Seixas, a Portuguese composer of keyboard music. His father, Alessandro Scarlatti, was likewise a composer notable for his operas and was one of Domenico's strongest influence.
7. Antonio Vivaldi
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Believed to have invented the ritornello form; he was a virtuoso violinist, composer and maestro de’ concertin. Vivaldi influenced instrumental music during the latter part of the Baroque period. He learned to play the violin through his father, Giovanni Battista, and they even toured Venice together where he performed. 1696 is known as his first public performance; he performed with his father.
8. Ludwig van Beethoven
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One of the great composers of the Classical period. He became deaf in his late 20s (some books say in his 30s) but continued to compose music that is still much appreciated to this day. He wrote "Symphony No. 2, op. 36 (D Major)," Symphony No. 3 Eroica, op. 55 (E flat Major)," "Symphony No. 4, op. 60 (B flat Major)" and other great masterpieces when he was almost completely deaf. Ludwig van Beethoven is considered a musical genius. He received early instruction on the piano and violin from his father, Johann.
9. Antonin Dvorak
A conductor, teacher and composer whose works reflected different influences; from American folk tunes to Brahms' works. His most famous work is the Ninth Symphony from the "New World Symphony." Dvorak's initial influence came from his father, Frantisek, who played the zither.10. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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At the age of 5, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart already wrote a miniature allegro (K. 1b) and andante (K. 1a). He was sickly as a child and died at the young age of 35. Yet, his over 600 compositions still influence countless musicians and listeners to this day. Among his famous works are "Symphony No. 35 Haffner, K. 385 - D Major," "Così fan tutte, K. 588" and "Requiem Mass, K. 626 - d minor." Mozart's father was a huge influence on him.