Historic Birthdays
Max Planck 4/23/1858 - 10/4/1947
Sergey Prokofiev 4/23/1891 - 3/5/1953
German physicist Max Planck proposed the quantum of action, now known as Planck's constant h, explaining the pattern of light intensity emitted from a black body at any given frequency. His work appeared in its earliest form in a 1900 paper titled Zur Theorie der Gesetzes der Energieverteilung im Normal-Spektrum (On The Theory of the Law of Energy Distribution in the Continuous Spectrum), which formed the baseline for a new field of physics, quantum mechanics. In oversimplified terms, Planck explained that energy is not a continuous, flowing entity, but is carried in tiny, discontinuous units, which he named quanta and described as "the pennies of the atomic world". Each quantum's energy is equal to the frequency of radiation multiplied by the universal constant which Planck defined.
His conclusion was in fundamental conflict with all previous physical theory, and was originally baffling or befuddling to other scientists, but provided a new understanding of the structure of light and radiation, phenomena that could not be adequately explained using classical Newtonian physics. Planck's work gained acceptance after Albert Einstein used Planck's constant h to determine the photoelectric effect, and Niels Bohr applied the principle to the atom (superseding Ernest Rutherford's atomic model).
He studied under Gustav Robert Kirchhoff and Hermann von Helmholtz, and his students included Walther Bothe, Gustav Hertz, and Max von Laue. His other work included research into chemical bonding, dispersion, kinetic theory, molecular rotational spectra, the optical properties of metals, and white light.
Planck remained loyal to the German government during its Nazi era, and Allied bombing of Berlin during World War II destroyed his home in the Berlin suburb of Grunewald, along with many of the papers documenting his work. His son Edwin was found guilty of involvement in Claus von Stauffenberg's "July plot" of 1944, an attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, for which the younger Planck was executed in 1945. After the war, Germany's leading scientific organization, the Kaiser Wilhelm Society for the Advancement of Science, was reorganized as the Max Planck Society.
Sergei Prokofiev was born in Russia. He began studying the piano with his mother at the age of three. By the age of five Sergei was displaying unusual musical abilities. His first composition, written down by his mother, was called Indian Gallop. By the age of nine he had written his first opera, The Giant.
At the age of thirteen Sergei entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory having already produced a whole portfolio of compositions. While at the conservatory he studied with Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Later in his life, Prokofiev was said to have regretted not having taken full advantage of this opportunity.
The music that Prokofiev composed was new and different. He brought to the concert hall strange new harmonies, dynamic rhythms and lots of humor.
When the Russian Revolution broke out, Prokofiev traveled to America. He hoped he would be able to compose in peace. American audiences, however, were not ready for his new sounds so he moved to Paris. In Paris, Prokofiev found greater success where his operas and ballets were well liked.
Prokofiev returned to Russia in 1932 spending the last 19 years of his life in his home country. During this time, he produced some of his finest works including Peter and the Wolf for chamber orchestra and narrator, and the score for his ballet Romeo and Juliet which contained some of his most inspired music.
Sergei Prokofiev died on March 5, 1953 as one of the most admired composers of the twentieth century.
Oxford Music Online gives April 25-May 7, 1840, as an approximate date for Sergei Prokofiev's birth. Other references resources give April 23rd and April 27th.
