Giuseppe Tartini: Devil’s Trill Violin Sonata Context Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770) was a Venetian violinist and composer. Born in Piran, Tartini was a part of an old aristocratic family. His parent’s had intended him to become a friar, which is why he received the musical training that he did from a young Read more…
Einojuhani Rautavaara: A Requiem in Our Time Context Composed in 1953 when he was still a student at the Sibelius Academy, A Requiem of Our Time was the first of three works for brass ensemble that Rautavaara composed. The piece brought an international spotlight onto Rautavaara after he won the Read more…
Pavel Chesnokov: Salvation is Created Context Known for his some 500 choral works composed during his career, Russian composer Pavel Chesnokov is perhaps best-known for his sacred choral work Salvation is Created. Composed in 1912 as the fifth of his Ten Communion Hymns, Salvation is Created was one of the Read more…
Ruth Gipps: Song for Orchestra Context By the time of her death in 1999, Ruth Gipps had an incredible oeuvre of music to represent her career throughout the 20th century. A pupil of Gordon Jacob, Arthur Alexander and Ralph Vaughan Williams whilst at the Royal College of Music, Gipps multitasked Read more…
Eugène Bozza: Aria Context Although a trained violinist himself, it was his incredible archive of works for wind instruments that has kept Eugène Bozza’s flame alive today. Aria, which was originally composed for alto saxophone and piano, has remained one of the composer’s most-performed solo works. Composed in 1936, Aria Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Seasons April: Snowdrop 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…
George Frideric Handel: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion Messiah Part I 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 Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.4 Context Often known as the ‘Father of the Symphony’, Joseph Haydn’s legacy as a symphonist stays strong today. Haydn composed 104 symphonies over the course of his long and fruitful life, and we at Classicalexburns want to help you discover the stories and music behind all Read more…
Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No.1 Context Composed in 1830 when Frédéric Chopin was just twenty years old, his First Piano Concerto has remained a popular staple in concerto repertoire. At its world premiere, Chopin himself played the soloist’s part as part of his ‘farewell’ concert before he left Poland. The Read more…
Dulcie Holland: Fantasy Trio Context Composed in 1938 for a violin, cello and piano trio, Australian composer Dulcie Holland’s (1913-2000) Fantasy Trio is a real treat for the ears. Regarded as one of most significant composers of her time, Holland’s music spans from chamber to solo repertoire. Holland’s work as Read more…