Paul Lovatt-Cooper: Vitae Aeternum Context Paul Lovatt-Cooper was born in Alderney, 1976. His parents were both Officers in the Salvation Army, so Lovatt-Cooper was quickly immersed in the family tradition of brass banding. Whilst at school, Lovatt-Cooper began learning the drums, and after he started proving his talents for percussion, was Read more…
Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 Context Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) composed his ever-popular Seventh Symphony between the years 1881-1883. It was then subject to further revisions in 1885. The premiere was given by the Gewandhaus Orchestra under the baton of Arthur Nikisch in Lepizig in December 1884. The symphony bought the Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Seasons September: The Hunt 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 Read more…
Jocelyn Pook: The Wife Context The Wife is a 2017 drama film featuring Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce. The main premise of the film is following Glenn Close’s character, who questions many of her decisions after she travels to Stockholm with her husband. After positive reviews of the film, especially Read more…
Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3 ‘Organ’ Context Camille Saint-Saëns composed his popular Third Symphony in 1886 after a commission from the Philharmonic Society in the UK was presented to him. The composer conducted both the UK and French premiere of the symphony in 1886/87. After the death of Franz Liszt, Saint-Saëns Read more…
Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.16 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…
Malcolm Arnold: Fantasy for Tuba Context Malcolm Arnold was born in Northampton, England in October 1921. He took up playing the trumpet at age 12, and after studying and practising intensely for five years, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music. Whilst at RCM, Read more…
Henryk Górecki: Totus Tuus Context Composed in 1987, Totus Tuus (‘Totally Yours’), is perhaps one of Henryk Górecki’s most treasured works. The work was composed to celebrate Pope John Paul II’s third pilgrimage to Poland. During the Pope’s pilgrimage, Totus Tuus was performed twice – once at the start in Read more…
Alexander Alyabyev: Piano Trio in A minor Context Although not published until over 100 years after his death in 1950, Alexander Alyabyev’s highly Romantic Piano Trio in A minor played an important role in the development of the genre. Cast into three contrasting movements, this intricate chamber work is representative Read more…
Marianna Bottini: Clarinet Concerto Context One of the forefront voices in Italian classical music in the 19th century, Marianna Bottini (1802-58) was one of the few women who had her music performed at the St Cecilia festival. Bottini composed a number of works, most of which are for orchestra. Little Read more…