Alexander Nevsky - a cantata based on music composed by Sergei Prokofiev for the film of the same name. Saint Alexander Nevsky was the Grand Prince of Novgorod and Vladimir during some of the most trying times in Russia's history.
Diabelli Variations - 33 variations on a theme supplied by publisher, editor, and composer Anton Diabelli . The 33 variations was Ludwig Van Beethoven 's contribution to a competition designed to gather one variation from each of the most well-known Austrian composers of the day.
Charleston (dance) - Named for the city of Charleston, South Carolina, this popular dance for of the 1920s featured flappers in speakeasies as a way of mocking the "drys," or citizens who supported the Prohibition amendment. It was considered quite immoral and provocative. Charleston, South Carolina , is derived from Charles Town, named after King Charles II of England.
INSTRUMENTS
Bandoneón - a free-reed instrument particularly popular in Argentina. It plays an essential role in the orquesta tipica, the tango orchestra. The bandoneón is named for its German inventor, Heinrich Band.
Moog - a number of analog synthesizers designed by Robert Moog (1934 - 2005).
Ondes Martenot - an electronic musical instrument with a keyboard and slide invented in 1928 by Maurice Martenot, and originally very similar in sound to the Theremin .
Sarrusophone - a double-reed woodwind instrument made of brass or silver. It was named after the French bandmaster Pierre Auguste Sarrus . (1813-1876)
Saxophone - Woodwind instrument invented in the 1830's . It is made of brass or silver and named for Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax .
Stradella - a keyboard system used on the bass side of many accordions. Possibly named for Italian composer Alessandro Stradella .
Theremin - an unusual instrument that requires no physical contact to produce music. It has an array of circuitry that includes two antennas in which a player moves his or her hands. It was invented by Léon Theremin in 1919 and has an eerie sound most associated with Sci-Fi movies of the 1950's .
Wagner Tuba - a brass instrument that combines elements of both the French horn and the tuba. Named for the German composer, Richard Wagner .
PERFORMERS
Jefferson Airplane - a San Francisco based rock band that, according to band member Jorma Kaukonen, derives its name as a satire of blues names such as "Blind Lemon" Jefferson.
NOTATION
Landini Cadence - named for the Italian composer and organist Francesco Landini (1325-1397). The Landini cadence was more pervasive the 14th and earlier 15th centuries, and might be described in its most characteristic form as a variation on the harmonic progression in which an unstable sixth (usually major) expands to a stable octave.
PLACE NAMES
Asteroid 3975 Verdi - a small main belt asteroid. Discovered by F. Bornjen in 1982, it is named after the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi . Also see other Asteroids named for composers.
