Sergei Prokofiev - 18

      

Sergei Prokofiev is one of the most well known composers of the 20th century. He was born in The Ukraine when it was a part of the Russian Empire in 1891. From the day he was born he listened to his mother play the piano and at age five he composed his first Sonata. By age nine he wrote his first large scale composition, an Opera called "The Giant".He wrote his first symphony at the age of eleven. He went on to compose "Peter and The Wolf", and the ballet "Romeo and Juliet". By the end of his life he had written seven symphonies, seven operas, five piano concertos, and numerous other works. His music is wildly popular around the world. Try to listen to a bit of each example.

Symphony number five (the music begins at 4:45, however the interview at the begining is very informative)

Dance from "Romeo and Juliet"

March from "Peter and The Wolf"

Jennifer Higdon - 17

American composer, Jennifer Higdon, is the winner of a Pulitzer Prize and a Grammy award! Much like Thelonious Monk she is also a self taught musician and did not study music formally until she was in College.

Ms. Higdon was born in New York City but lived in Atlanta for 10 years as a child.  She has written several pieces of music for The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Her composition "Blue Cathedral" is one of the most popular pieces for orchestra today! Currently she teaches music at The Curtis Institute in Philadelphia.

Blue Cathedral

Percussion Concerto (this is a short excerpt for the entire work click here ) - Grammy Award Winner!

Violin Concerto (Pulitzer Prize Winner)