12 Greatest Composers of the Zodiac
By Hermione Lai, Interlude
In Western astrology, everything in the cosmos and here on Earth is tightly interconnected, and the movement of the celestial bodies determines outcomes here on Earth. Sun, moon, planets and even comets are observed across a circular map called the “zodiac.” That map divides the night sky into twelve segments named after various constellations. That’s just a fancy word for “a togetherness of stars,” and they are often interpreted as images of animals.
Venice Astrological Clock
Astrology suggests that the position of celestial bodies at the time of birth can provide insight into the strengths and weaknesses, the natural inclination, and even the potential career path of individuals.
Some recent studies have shown that there is a correlation between brain function and astrological signs and that these signs can affect personalities and behaviour. We thought it might be fun to put this theory to the test by looking at the characteristics of the 12 Greatest Composers of the Zodiac.
Aries (The Ram)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major, BWV 1049
Aries, the Ram, is indeed a very powerful sign, and the Sun transits this constellation between 20 March and 21 April. This astrological sign is ruled by Mars, the planet of war and energy, and people born under the sign of Aries, are said to be energetic, unstoppable, bold, devoted and encouraging. On a bad day, however, they tend to be proud and self-centred, stubborn, reckless, jealous, bossy and impulsive.
Elias Gottlob Haussmann: Johann Sebastian Bach, 1746
Johann Sebastian Bach was born on 31 March, and he could certainly be the Aries poster child. He was always fighting with authorities, and as he once said, “they caused a life of envy and hindrance.”
As we know, Bach had anger management issues, but he also had the capacity for tenderness. He had normal flaws and failings, which made him very approachable, but he had this unfathomably brilliant mind and a capacity to hear music and then deliver music that was beyond the capacity of pretty well any musician before or since. In short, Bach was unstoppable in his determination and his work ethic; he was a true Aries.
Taurus (The Bull)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a
Between 20 April and 20 May, the Great Bull of Heaven charges across the celestial sky. This powerful constellation is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, attraction, beauty, satisfaction, creativity and gratitude. Individuals born under this sign are supposedly firmly grounded and have the ability to see things from a practical and realistic perspective. Their tender nature makes them excellent cooks, gardeners, lovers, and artists.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Born on 7 May 1840, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was indeed a keen gardener who “loved our Russian nature more than any other.” He had a fantastic personal garden in Klin, and he loved flowers. I am not sure if Tchaikovsky was a good cook, but he loved to eat “kulebyaka,” a kind of pie filled with fish and rice. And when it comes to the pleasure of the flesh, he certainly had an active sex life.
Tchaikovsky was artistically supremely gifted, with his music reflecting the rollercoaster ride of the human experience. Tchaikovsky tellingly wrote, “I have found nothing to ease my troubled soul. But I would go mad were it not for music.” Tchaikovsky took the criticism to heart, and he was prone to extended bouts of guilt, depression and self-pity.
Gemini (The Twins)
Richard Wagner: “Ride of the Valkyries”
This third astrological sign, with the sun crossing the constellation of Gemini between 21 May and 21 June, represents mythological twins. While most signs have one very prominent trait, Gemini represents two different personalities in one. They are sociable, communicative and ready for fun, with a tendency to suddenly get serious, thoughtful and restless.
Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner was born on 22 May, and he was described as “the constant union between profound reflection and ebullient spontaneity. With him, excessive thinking had not dulled his vital spark, and whatever life’s vicissitudes, he never ceased to philosophise, combining a calculating, metaphysical intellect with the joy and eternal youth of a truly creative temperament.”
Wagner was quick to anger, quick to tears, quick to laughter, and quick to frenzy. He was highly intelligent and tended to be overly analytical. Gemini apparently struggled with commitment, and Wagner left his share of bludgeoned relationships in his wake. He loved to be the life of the party, and if we can trust contemporary reports, he just couldn’t stop talking. All in all, it seems that Richard Wagner fits the characteristics of being born under the tropic of Gemini rather well.
Cancer (The Crab)
Gustav Mahler: Song of the Earth, “Farewell”
The sun crosses the astrological sign of Cancer between 22 June and 23 July. Individuals born under that sign are supposedly nesting people who take great pleasure in the comforts of home and family. Cancers are maternal, domestic, and love to nurture others. They are happiest when their home life is serene and harmonious.
Gustav Mahler, 1892
Cancers value tradition, and they tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Frequently, they are more attached to the romantic ideal than to reality, and Gustav Mahler, born on 7 July, did enjoy an occasional feeling of optimism and euphoria. An astrologer wrote that if “Cancer was a nightmare, it would be one with family dynamics in it, highly psychological.”
Gustav Mahler was desperately in love with his wife Alma, and he had a couple of sessions with Sigmund Freud. He was incredibly possessive and jealous, not to mention clingy. As he wrote, “How much I love you, you my sun, I cannot tell you that with words. I can only lament to you my longing and love.” With these brief astrological predictions in mind, Mahler seems to fit the tropic of Cancer like a glove, don’t you think?
Leo (The Lion)
Claude Debussy: “Clair de Lune”
If your birthday falls between 24 July and 23 August, you are born under the astrological sign of the Lion. As Leo season in the Northern Hemisphere starts at the height of Summer, the sun is the planetary ruler. People born under that sign radiate solar confidence and heart-felt courage.
The most famous composer born under the sign of Leo on 22 August is Claude Debussy. He had a highly complex personality, and he was not a socially outgoing or bold person. His lover Marguerite Vasnier writes: “He was very quick to take offence and extremely sensitive. The slightest thing put him in good humour or made him sullen or angry. He was very unsociable and never hid his displeasure as he did not often allow himself to be with strangers.”
Claude Debussy by Marcel Baschet, 1884
Debussy had a sullen attitude towards life and was remarkably sensitive, uncomfortable, and quick to defend. As Debussy later explained, “That’s the way I’m made.” Once we add depression, two marriages, attempted suicides, secret affairs and an incident with a revolver, we find a personality always chasing for some elusive form of contentment. Debussy was essentially an introvert who hid behind his extroversion.
Virgo (The Maiden)
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”
Virgo, the Goddess of innocence and purity, gives her name to the astrological sign crossed by the sun between 24 August and 23 September. People born under that sign are always looking for goodness in humankind, and predictably, disappointment is not far behind.
Dvořák in 1870
Their deep sense of humanity informs a personality that is said to be analytical, kind, hardworking and practical, but they tend to be highly critical of themselves and others. If they are disappointed once too often, they will distance themselves from other people. They would rather be out in nature than anywhere else, adoring the wilderness and nature’s creatures.
The poster child for the sign of Virgo might well be Antonín Dvořák, born on 8 September.
Nature played a major role in his life and his work. He took several nature walks each day, did a lot of gardening, planted trees, and kept pigeons. Nature was a powerful source of inspiration for Dvořák, and his “Symphony from the New World” evokes a sense of grand, unfolding vistas.
Libra (The Scales)
Franz Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Libra, which falls between 24 September and 23 October, is the only zodiac sign not represented by a living creature. Instead, it depicts the weighing scales of the Greek goddess of justice. Associated with balance, individuals are said to be obsessed with symmetry and strive to create equilibrium in all areas of life.
Franz Liszt in 1870
This particular astrological sign is ruled by Venus, the planet that governs love, beauty and money. Libras adore high art, intellectualism, and connoisseurship. Frequently, they surround themselves with objects and environments that reflect their exquisite tastes. Supposedly, they love harmonious partnerships with fashionable mates and also make for excellent designers, decorators, art critics, and stylists.
My personal pick for this sign is Franz Liszt. He certainly fits the art critic category, and he used his hair to good effect. During the early part of his life, he was well known for his virtuosic displays, lavish tastes and a long line of “arm candy.” However, he was loyal to his friends and generous in support of young talent. Once you take away his flashy onstage persona, Liszt was almost painfully shy and devoutly religious in later life.
Scorpio (The Scorpion)
Niccolò Paganini: Caprice No. 24 in A minor
Scorpio is the eighth sign of the zodiac and is said to govern the period from about 24 October to 21 November. Scorpios possess intense personalities and strong, passionate emotions. Seductive and beguiling, Scorpio is the sign most closely associated with sex. It’s not all about sensual pleasures, however, as Scorpios crave physical closeness and spiritual illumination.
My favourite Scorpio composer, Niccolò Paganini, was born in Genoa on 27 October.
Nicolo Paganini, by Richard James Lane
He was a born leader with extraordinary drive and determination. Once he made up his mind to study the violin and discover new and hitherto unsuspected effects that would astound people, nothing would stand in his way.
He became obsessed with fame and money, and his relentless ambition translated into increasingly bizarre behaviour. With Paganini, it’s rather difficult to distinguish between fact and myth, and rumours abound. One thing for sure, Paganini was always concerned about appearances and the need to project success and self-satisfaction. This particular Scorpio demanded unconditional respect and attention.
Sagittarius (The Archer)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27, No. 2 “Moonlight”
Sagittarius is not an archer in the conventional way. Rather, he is actually a centaur, a creature notoriously wild, lusty, and violent when intoxicated. He rules the nightly sky between approximately 23 November and 22 December. Individuals born under this sign are curious and energetic, and their philosophical view motivates them to wander around the world in search of the meaning of life.
Joseph Willibrord Mähler: Beethoven, 1804–1905 (Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien)
Since centaurs are half-man and half-horse, one can almost sense the contradictions governing this creature’s personality. There is no better example of a Sagittarius composer than Ludwig van Beethoven, who was baptised on 17 December. Beethoven wasn’t particularly well educated, but his strength of character produced powerful effects on those around him.
Supremely idealistic and eternally in search of tranquillity and freedom, he showed utter disdain for discipline and authority. Often impatient and tactless, he thought exceedingly highly of himself in artistic matters. And while he did accord the greatest respect to other artists, he had very little use for common humanity. And let’s not forget that as a true Sagittarian, he felt the presence of God in the beauty of nature.
Capricorn (The Goat)
Alexander Scriabin: Poem of Ecstasy
The astrological sign Capricorn, which rules the skies between 22 December and 20 January, is governed by the planet Saturn. People born under this sign are said to exhibit strong and distinctive personality traits. Among the strengths, Capricorns are ambitious, determined, hard-working and very well organized. Yet, they can be overly critical, insufferable know-it-all, sarcastic, condescending, and always expecting the worst.
Alexander Scriabin
Alexander Scriabin was squarely born under the tropic of Capricorn, and his personality seems to reflect that fact. Described as a bizarre blend of the pragmatic and the preposterous, Scriabin did have affectionate family ties and a pedantic way of organising his schedule and travels.
Scriabin suffered from hallucinations, and he was certainly narcissistic. Convinced of his personal power and self-importance, he envisaged something apocalyptic, whereby the whole of humanity would be intoxicated by his music and mesmerized by his God-like magnetism and omnipotence. I am not entirely sure that this would accurately describe the average person born under the tropic of Capricorn, but they do generally set rather high standards for themselves.
Aquarius (The Water-bearer)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Magic Flute, “Queen of the Night aria”
The sun transits Aquarius, the water-bearer, between January 21 and February 20. It is said that Aquarius is the most humanitarian astrological sign and that people born under this sign are revolutionary thinkers who support the power of the people. Free-spirited and eccentric, it is easy to spot an Aquarius by their unusual hobbies and nonconformist attitude.
Although the Aquarius can be shy and quiet, they can also be eccentric and highly energetic. They love being around good friends and like to help others, but can be highly temperamental and uncompromising. People born under the sign of Aquarius, it seems, have very complex and nuanced personalities.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This seems certainly true of the most famous Aquarius composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born on 27 January. Much has been written about the possibility of a personality disorder in the sense that he always needed to be nurtured and supported by others and that Mozart found it very difficult to be alone. We do know that he had violent temper outbursts, and recently, it has been suggested that Mozart might have suffered from Tourette’s syndrome. Whatever the case may be, Mozart’s music is just as nuanced and complex as his personality.
Pisces (The Fish)
Frédéric Chopin: Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. Posth.
The sun transits the constellation of Pisces between 19 February and 20 March, and as the final sign of the Zodiac, it absorbs the hopes and fears of all other signs. Individuals born under this sign have a mystical, intuitive, and transcendental dynamic.
Pisces are selfless, spiritual, and very focused on their inner journey. They are sensitive seekers who have the potential to bring a soulful, healing energy to their relationships and communities. Common wisdom suggests that Pisces are compassionate and empathetic and wired to offer spiritual and artistic gifts to the world. These are the poets, musicians, painters.
Portrait of Frédéric Chopin by Maria Wodzińska
And that brings us to Frédéric Chopin, born on 1 March. Judging by his compositions, Chopin could well be the musical poster child for this particular astrological sign. Ruled by sensitivity and emotions, this visionary fish was a kind and gentle artist who shared his experiences in music. He was easily wounded emotionally, but he was empathic and compassionate. I don’t know if, as astrologers predict, Chopin was clairvoyant, but he certainly fits the personality profile rather well.
Now you know my personal much-loved composers for every astrological sign; what are your favourites?
Some of the best Baroque music for Christmas is connected to some really interesting characters and stories. Take for example the Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, a man sworn to celibacy by the church. But the Cardinal had other ideas, as he loved pomp and sensual pleasure. Nobody knows how many mistresses wandered through the Cardinal’s bedroom, but rumors suggested that he had between 60 and 70 children. The Cardinal was also a lover of the arts and specifically music, and he constructed himself a theatre. He also wrote his own opera and oratorio texts, and asked various composers to set them to music. Ottoboni was surely a major eccentric, and he surrounded himself with an extended circle of queer artists. He thought that being queer made artists more creative, and among his hires was the violinist and composer Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713). Corelli and his lover Matteo Fornari soon became the star attractions as they came up with a new kind of music, which they called “concerto.” All that means is that a bigger orchestra contrasts a small group of performers or soloists. Maybe the Cardinal Ottoboni asked Corelli to compose him a “Christmas Concerto.” Nobody knows if that was actually the case, but the last movement has a beautiful pastoral quality. When Antonio Vivaldi first heard this piece he excitedly wrote, “Concerto, fatto per la note di natale” (Concerto composed for Christmas Eve.) It is one of the most touching Baroque instrumental pieces for Christmas, and a wonderful way to say Merry Christmas musically. 
For the final selection of the best Baroque music for Christmas, I have selected the Christmas Cantata by Alessandro Stradella (1643-1682). He was one of the most versatile and lively Italian composers in his day. He enjoyed a colorful and dazzling career as a freelance composer who managed to make countless enemies along the way. He tried to embezzle money from the Roman Catholic Church, and he had a weak spot for married women or the mistresses of the powerful and mighty. One evening while walking away from a little encounter, two assassins attacked him. By sheer luck he managed to survive the attack, but he was not that lucky a couple of years later when his life was tragically ended at the age of 42. A shadowy assassin stabbed him to death, having been hired by a jealous husband. Stradella was a highly sought after composer and none of his personal scandals affected the demand for his music. A group of wealthy patrons even provided him with a house, food, and a servant in addition to a generous yearly stipend. And we can certainly hear Stradella’s passion in his Christmas Cantata, first heard on Christmas Eve. Just listen to the beautiful pastoral atmosphere throughout the piece. There is no fake theatre, but just an emotional prayer from the Virgin Mary to her son. I guess we can all use a prayer during these unsettling times, and wherever you are in the world, may the best of Baroque Christmas music lift your spirits.
