Howard Shore: Mythic Gardens Context Commissioned by the American Symphony Orchestra for cellist Sophie Shao, Howard Shore’s Mythic Gardens is a highly expressive work for cello and orchestra. The work was completed in 2012 and was given its premiere by Sophie Shao and the ASO under Leon Botstein in the Read more…
Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.19 Context Johannes Brahms completed his 21 Hungarian Dances by 1879, and they still remain one his most popular collections of music. All of the dances are based on traditional Hungarian folk tunes and range from c.1 minute to 6 minutes in duration. Some of the Read more…
Caroline Shaw: Limestone & Felt Context Premiered in the Netherlands in January 2012, Caroline Shaw’s Limestone & Felt is an exciting work for cello and viola. The composer describes the work on her website: “Limestone & Felt presents two kinds of surfaces – essentially hard and soft. These are Read more…
Pēteris Vasks: The Fruit of Silence Context Pēteris Vasks composed the haunting choral work, The Fruit of Silence in 2013. Commissioned by the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, the piece was premiered in 2013 at the event. Based on the words of Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, also known more commonly as Mother Teresa, Read more…
Howard Shore: The Thief Context Nominated for an Oscar Award in 2011, Howard Shore’s score for the 2011 3D animated film, Hugo, is full of musical delights. The film is based on Brian Selznick’s 2007 book The Invention of Hugo Cabaret, and is based in Paris, France. The Music Read more…
George Gershwin: Cuban Overture Context The genesis of George Gershwin’s Cuban Overture lies in a two week trip the composer took to Havana in 1932. Known for its nightlife and music, Havana made a big impression on Gershwin. He basked in exciting irregular rhythmic patterns and exotic harmonies which he Read more…
Judith Weir: Stars, Night, Music and Light Context Judith Weir was born in 1954 in Cambridge, and at a young age she began learning the oboe. Weir in her youth performed regularly with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. She studied composition whilst at school with none other than John Read more…
Henry Purcell: Hear My Prayer, O Lord Context Composed between 1681-82, Henry Purcell’s choral anthem Hear My Prayer, O Lord was most likely set for the Chapel Royal. Often assumed to be part of a larger unfinished work due to the blank pages at the end of the autograph score, Read more…
Erik Satie: Je te veux Context Erik Satie’s instantly recognisable Je te veux was originally scored for voice and piano, however, over the years this well-loved melody has also been scored for chamber orchestra, and most famously – solo piano. Translated into English, the title simply means ‘I Want You’, Read more…
Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique Context With its full title reading Symphonie Fantastique: Épisode de la vie d’un artiste en cinq parties (Fantastical Symphony: An Episode in the Life of an Artist, in Five Parts), the work lends itself to being autobiographical. The first performance was at the Paris Conservatoire in Read more…