Gabriel Fauré: Dolly Suite Context Gabriel Fauré’s set of piano duets, also known as the Dolly Suite, were composed between 1893-96. Each duet marks the birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions in the life of the daughter of Fauré’s mistress, Emma Bardac. The daughter, Régina-Hélène Bardac, was known as Dolly to Read more…
Ernest Moeran: Lonely Waters Context Published in a set of two piece for small orchestra, Ernest Moeran’s Lonely Waters was published in 1935. However, Moeran completed the work sometime in 1931, with the premiere taking place a year later in January 1932 at The Queen’s Hall. Lonely Waters is dedicated Read more…
Interview with Hannah Fiddy Hannah Fiddy is a creative consultant and events producer, developing new audiences for classical music. She is the Director of Alternative Classical, which creates and promotes new approaches to classical music. Some her other projects include: Concert Roulette (classical jukebox) London Flashmob (pop-up events producer). Her Read more…
Elmer Bernstein: The Magnificent Seven Main Title Context Elmer Bernstein is fondly remembered as being one of the leading film composers of the 20th Century. His music is some of the most recognisable, with his scores for The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963) and Ghostbusters (1984) being particular Read more…
Thomas Doss: REM-Scapes Context Composed in 2014, Thomas Doss’ REM-Scapes for brass band is an eclectic mix of sonorous playing and extended techniques. The name of the piece refers to “Rapid Eye Movement” – which is a unique state of sleep seen only in mammals and birds. This phase is Read more…
Morton Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium Context Morton Lauridsen is known today as one of the leading choral composers, due to his extensive collection of works, recordings and awards he’s picked up along the way. By far the most popular piece to come from Lauridsen’s pen is his setting of O Magnum Mysterium. Morton Read more…
Florence Price: Moon Bridge Context Born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1887, Florence Beatrice Smith Price received early musical training from her mother. Price went to study at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, graduating in 1906 with a Soloist’s Diploma in Organ Performance, and a Teacher’s Diploma in Read more…
Philip Glass: Music in Similar Motion Context Composed in 1969, Philip Glass’ Music in Similar Motion is an open score that can be played by any group of instruments. As with the minimalist tradition, Music in Similar Motion is a collection of repeated figures all moving in the same direction, Read more…
Ottorino Respighi: Pines of Rome Context Ottorino Respighi was born on July 9th, 1879 in Bologna, Italy. From a young age he was taught piano by his father, as he was working as a local music teacher in the area. Respighi later enrolled at the Liceo, where he studied violin, Read more…
Joan Tower: Violin Concerto Context Joan Tower was born in New Rochelle, New York in 1938. When Tower was nine, her family moved to Bolivia, which she describes as an integral part of her compositional style. Upon her father’s insistence, she learnt the piano and had consistent musical training. Her Read more…