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Howard While Skempton is a British composer, pianist and accordionist.
From 1967 Skempton studied in London with Cornelius Cardew, who helped him discover a musical language of great simplicity. Skempton and became known for the particular clarity of his musical language. He wrote over 300 works, many of which are miniatures for solo piano or accordion.
Skempton calls his works the "central nervous system" of his oeuvre. They include pieces for solo cello and guitar, Chamber Concerto for fifteen instruments, Concerto for Hardy Gurdy and Percussion, and others. Skempton's first major success came in 1991 with the premiere of his orchestral composition Lento. His orchestral and instrumental works have been recorded by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Bash Ensemble, among others.
In recent years Skempton has increasingly concentrated on vocal and choral music; his choral commissions include works for the BBC Singers and the Belfast Philharmonic Society. He is Professor Emeritus of Music at De Montfort University.
Johann Joachim Kändler was a German sculptor and porcelain artist best known for his role in transforming European porcelain, particularly through his work at the Meissen porcelain factory. His sculptures and figurines, characterized by their natural motifs and intricate details, significantly impacted the porcelain industry.
Kändler's early works often depicted elements from nature, with his bird sculptures—such as those of jays and woodpeckers—being particularly notable. As his career evolved, he delved into smaller decorative figures, such as those from the "Swan Service," a collection of detailed and delicate porcelain pieces. Kändler also drew inspiration from the commedia dell'arte, a popular form of theater, creating vibrant figurines that captured the spirit of this genre. His "Monkey Band" from 1753 is an enduring piece still celebrated today.
Throughout his career, Kändler produced over a thousand different items, many of which are now considered timeless masterpieces in European porcelain art. You can find his works in museums and galleries, such as the British Museum, Seattle Art Museum, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Some pieces are even available for auction or sale, often fetching high prices due to their rarity and artistic significance.
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