Johann Strauss I: Radetzky March Context Premiered in August 1848 in Vienna, Johann Strauss I’s Radetzky March is one of the most recognisable marches ever composed. Dedicated to Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky von Radetz, the march soon became popular among regimented marching soldiers. Strauss was commissioned to composed a work Read more…
Edward Elgar: Serenade for Strings Context Composed in March 1892 and premiered later on in the same year, Edward Elgar’s Serenade for Strings is a short work for string orchestra. The premiere saw Elgar conducting the Worcester Ladies’ Orchestral Class in a private concert. The first public premiere took place Read more…
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumblebee Context Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov is known for a range of his orchestral works, however perhaps one of the most iconic is his orchestral interlude Flight of the Bumblebee. As the title suggests, the work intends to evoke the chaotic and ever-changing flying pattern of a Read more…
Hermann Pallhuber: Titan’s Progress Context Commissioned by Brass Band Oberosterreich for the 2007 European Brass Band Championships at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, Hermann Pallhuber’s Titan’s Progress is ‘On A Theme Of Mahler’. The piece has since been used as the test piece for the 2009 British Open and the 2019 Read more…
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Trio in D Major ‘Ghost’ Context Ludwig van Beethoven’s set of two piano trios under Opus. 70 were composed during the composer’s stay at Countess Marie von Erdödy’s estate. Both of the trios are dedicated to the Countess, and were published in 1809. The first trio, Read more…
Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: Overture in C Context Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel is, for many, one of the most celebrated female composers today. Her incredible catalogue of chamber music in particular has pleased many musicians and audiences alike over the last few decades. However, this has not always been the case. Hensel was often Read more…
Beethoven 2020: The Next Generation Royal Northern Sinfonia Return to Teesside for Beethoven Retrospective Following the successful launch of Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Beethoven-themed concert series in January, the celebrated orchestra is returning to Middlesbrough Town Hall for their second instalment of celebrations for the iconic composer’s 250th birth anniversary. With Symphonies No. 1 and Read more…
Hamish MacCunn: The Land of the Mountain and the Flood Context Scottish Romantic composer Hamish MacCunn (1868-1916) was always intrigued with Scottish landscapes. Although he lived in London for a long time, MacCunn was a lifelong champion of Scottish folk songs, music and the incredible landscapes. He composed The Land Read more…
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.5 A Snapshot Context Composed between 1804-1808, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is not only one of his most famous works, but it’s also one of the most well-known works in the Western Classical Music canon. The Fifth Symphony premiered on 22nd December 1808 in an Read more…
John Williams: Theme to Jaws Context John Williams composed the soundtrack for teven Spielberg thriller Jaws in 1975. It originally came out as an LP in 1975 and was then re-released on CD in 1992. Various future versions have since been released, including the 25th anniversary DVD, which included the Read more…