Bedřich Smetana: Šárka Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Šárka is the third work of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single work in six movements, Smetana conceived them all Read more…
Howard Shore: The Shire Context Composed for the first instalment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Shire is a piece of orchestral underscore that showcases the beautiful landscape that the hobbits reside in. Howard Shore composed over 150 leitmotifs throughout the three LOTR films (even more if you Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Lift Up Your Heads Messiah Part II Context George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens, with the source Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Seasons December: Christmas Context Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed his twelve character pieces for piano, The Seasons, at the same time that he was writing his popular ballet, Swan Lake. Each piece in The Seasons depicts a different month of the year in Russia. Although originally composed Read more…
Patrick Hawes: Fair Albion Context English composer Patrick Hawes is one of the countries leading composers. Having worked with some of the finest musicians, orchestras, conductors, record labels and radio stations, Hawes is a tour de force within English classical music. He held the position of Composer in Residence with Read more…
Edward Gregson: The Plantagenets Context Composed for the 1973 National Brass Band Championships, Edward Gregson’s The Plantagenets has stood the test of time in the banding world. Subtitled ‘A Symphonic Study for Brass Band’ The Plantagenets is still to this day one of Gregson’s most ambitious symphonic-inspired works. Unlike many Read more…
Wendy Mae Chambers: Mass for Trombones Context Wendy Mae Chambers was born in 1953 in the USA. She studied at Barnard College between 1971-1975, where she received a BA in Music. She went on to study at Stony Brook University, where she earned her MA in Composition. Chambers delivers her Read more…
Ola Gjeilo: Ubi Caritas Context Ola Gjeilo was born in 1978, in Sandvika, Norway. From an early age he was exposed to a range of different genres of music, but he took a special liking to both jazz and classical choral music. Gjeilo began playing piano, and gravitated towards jazz improvisation. Gjeilo mainly learned Read more…
Grażyna Bacewicz: Legend Context Grażyna Bacewicz was Born in Łódź, Poland in 1909, Bacewicz was introduced to music at a young age by her father. She furthered her musical studies by enrolling at the Warsaw Conservatory, where she majored in piano, violin and composition. Afterwards she travelled to Paris, where Read more…
Hubert Parry: I Was Glad Context Hubert Parry (1848-1918) was at the height of his fame by the start of the 20th century. He held a Professorship at Oxford from 1900, as well as being knighted two years previously in 1898. It was during this mature period of Parry’s life Read more…