Zoltán Kodály: Háry János Suite Context Premiering at the Royal Hungarian Opera House in 1926, Zoltán Kodály’s folk opera Háry János has remained one of his more popular large-scale works. Based on the comic epic The Veteran by János Garay, with a Hungarian libretto by Béla Paulini, Háry János showcases Read more…
Gustav Holst: Beni Mora Context Composed between 1909-12, Gustav Holst’s three-movement suite Beni Mora is one of his lesser-known works. Inspired by a trip to Algeria, Holst’s suite reflects some Eastern music traditions. In 1908, Holst was advised to take a holiday due to his mounting stress, depression and neuritis. Read more…
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Context Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik was composed in 1787 at the same time as he was writing the music for his opera Don Giovanni. The title translates to ‘A Little Serenade’, although it is also known as ‘A Little Night Music’. Originally, Read more…
Richard Wagner: Lohengrin Prelude to Act I Context Richard Wagner’s Romantic opera Lohengrin was first performed in 1850. During the 1840s, Wagner had spent much time researching and reading into medieval German legends, epics and stories that he could use for one of his own works. By 1845, Wagner had Read more…
John Williams: Hedwig’s Theme Context By the year 2001, John Williams was already one of the most sought after film composers in the world. With a wealth of awards and nominations behind him, he had already composed the iconic music to films like Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and Jaws. While Read more…
Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Wasps Overture Context Ralph Vaughan Williams composed the incidental music for a production of Aristophane’s The Wasps in 1909. The music is quite lengthy, with there only being a handful of full recordings of the full production. The overture, however, has gained more success as a Read more…
Thea Musgrave: Song of the Enchanter Context Thea Musgrave was born in Scotland in 1928 and she began her higher education at the University of Edinburgh (her home town university). As an ever-flourishing composer, Musgrave developed her technique so much so that she earned her place at the prestigious Paris Conservatoire. Read more…
Karl Jenkins: Adiemus Context Karl Jenkins composed his “new age” song Adiemus as part of the Adiemus project, which was officially released on Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary in 1995. Jenkins collaborated with vocalists Miriam Stockley and Mary Carewe for the original recording. The work also features a group of vocalists Read more…
Gabriel Fauré: Piano Quartet No.2 Context Gabriel Fauré composed his Second Piano Quartet between 1885-86, and it premiered in January 1887 at the Société Nationale de Musique. The quartet was published soon after the premiere performance and was dedicated to Hans von Bülow. The quartet is one of only two Read more…
Rachel Portman: Chocolat Main Title Context Chocolat was released in 2000 and is based on the novel of the same name by Joanne Harris. The story follows a mother and daughter who arrive in a small French village and open up a chocolaterie. The romantic-drama received positive reviews, praising the Read more…