Hubert Parry: Elegy for Brahms Context Hubert Parry (1848-1918) was at the height of his fame by the start of the 20th century. He was held a Professorship at Oxford from 1900, as well as being knighted two years previous in 1898. It was during this mature period of Parry’s Read more…
Alexander Scriabin: Piano Concerto Context Composed when he was just 24 years old, Alexander Scriabin’s Piano Concerto was the first of his works to use an orchestra, as well as being the only concerto that he wrote. Although a majority of the concerto was composed in 1896, it wasn’t until Read more…
George Frideric Handel: And Suddenly There Was An Angel 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…
Opera on Location: Cinderella December 2020 2020 has seen many arts organisations wildly adapt their output so they can still engage their loyal audiences. Opera on Location are no exception, with their much-anticipated digital production of Cinderella premiering on Thursday 17th December. The production sees Director Ashley Pearson and Musical Read more…
John Williams: Aunt Marge’s Waltz Context Featuring in the 2004 film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Aunt Marge’s Waltz is a comical orchestral underscore that accompanies one of the first scenes of the film. When Harry’s horrible aunt Marge visits the Dursely’s home, she goads Harry until he Read more…
Anna Clyne: This Midnight Hour Context Grammy Award nominated composer Anna Clyne was born in 1980 in London. She formally studied music at the University of Edinburgh for her BMus, and then at the Manhattan School of Music for her MA degree in music. She has received tutelage from the Read more…
Luigi Boccherini: Cello Concerto No.9 Context Composed during the late 1760s-early 1770s, Luigi Boccherini’s Ninth Cello Concerto is perhaps his most well-known out of the twelve he composed. A dedicated and talented cellist himself, Boccherini enjoyed writing for the instrument, and was able to perform his work before taking it Read more…
George Frideric Handel: And Lo, The Angel of the Lord 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, Read more…
Karl Jenkins: Palladio Context Sir Karl William Pamp Jenkins (CBE), was born on 17th February, 1944, in Penclawdd, Wales. He first received music training from his father, who was a choirmaster and chapel organist. Jenkins began to learn the oboe, and subsequently played in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. Read more…
Nino Rota: Harp Concerto Context Although famed for his film scores, Nino Rota also wrote a collection of other works that were not linked to film. His 1947 Harp Concerto is a fantastic example of Rota’s sensitive and lyrical writing as he composes for a naturally elegant instrument. The concerto Read more…