Here are the links to our suggestions for beautiful things for April, with a focus on beautiful words, sounds, and places that are distinctly American and in the Twentieth Century. Back to Simple Beauty Page
John Williams (1932-present)
Have you ever watched a film in which the action moves on powerful music? Movie producers and directors Steven Spielberg said of his friend, “without John Williams, bikes don’t fly. Nor do brooms in quidditch matches. Nor do men in red capes. There is no Force. Dinosaurs do not walk the earth. We do not wonder. … Continue reading John Williams (1932-present)
Simple Beauty Americans: March
Here are the links to our suggestions for beautiful things for March, with a focus on beautiful words, sounds, and places that are distinctly American and focus on the late 1800s and early 1900s. Back to Simple Beauty Page
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was born in 1900. He loved to write music and even more so, he loved to teach people how to enjoy it. He grew up in New York City, where he heard all kinds of music. During his lifetime, Americans were getting used to modern times. Artists and writers were trying out new … Continue reading Aaron Copland
Simple Beauty Americans: February
Here are the links to our suggestions for beautiful things for February, with a focus on beautiful words, sounds, and places that are distinctly American and focus on the late 1800s and early 1900s. Back to Simple Beauty Page
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990 ) was born in Massachusetts. He was a pianist and conductor who also composed beautiful pieces. Music was a great joy to him, and he listened to and enjoyed all kinds of it. Many people suggested that he’d be better off if he picked one of his favorite branches of music and … Continue reading Leonard Bernstein
Amy Beach
Amy Beach is one of the greatest composers that you’ve never heard of. She was born in New Hampshire on September 05, 1867. She was born into a musical family, and she was naturally gifted in music. By the time she was four, Amy played four-part hymns on the piano and composed several waltzes. At … Continue reading Amy Beach
American Christmas Songs
We’ve chosen some common Christmas songs to share with you. Each picture links to a video on YouTube for your enjoyment! Photo Credits: Bing Crosby: By CBS Radio – eBayfrontback, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58423153 Andy Williams: By Sheldon Saltman, public relations – File: Andy Williams 1967.JPG, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71214271 Nat King Cole: By William P. Gottlieb – … Continue reading American Christmas Songs
Scott Joplin
Biography Scott Joplin was born in Texas in 1867. His father (who was a slave) and his mother (who was not) were both musical people. His mother cleaned houses for a living, and one of the homeowners who hired her also allowed Joplin to play the piano in her home. That’s how Scott Joplin taught … Continue reading Scott Joplin
John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was one of 10 children going to a family of Portuguese and German immigrants in Washington DC in 1854. His father played the trombone in the US Marine band and was Sousa’s role model in music study. Sousa learned the violin when he was six. During Sousa’s lifetime, he spent 20 … Continue reading John Philip Sousa