Interview with Paul Mealor Award-winning composer Paul Mealor has become a household name across the world, with his works being performed at some of the most prestigious events and venues. From classical festivals to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Wedding, Paul’s music has reached and touched so many. Read more…
Nigel Hess: East Coast Pictures Context Commissioned in 2000 by the British Youth Wind Orchestra, Nigel Hess’ East Coast Pictures has quickly become a wind orchestra staple. Set into three short movements, or ‘pictures’, the movements were inspired by Hess’ several visits to a small part of the American East Read more…
Interview with Stephen Johnson Author, broadcaster, composer and presenter Stephen Johnson is one of the most celebrated in the business. His work on BBC Radio 3 hosting the much-loved series ‘Discovering Music’ still informs and excites those who listen years after they first were broadcast. His engaging manner as a Read more…
Aulis Sallinen: Sunrise Serenade Context Finnish contemporary composer Aulis Sallinen began to learn music from a young age. He attended the prestigious Sibelius Academy and after graduating became a composition tutor there. His works have been labelled as ‘neo-romantic’ with many blurring the lines between genres that were popular in Read more…
Patrick Hawes: How Hill Context Patrick Hawes’ 2009 collaborative album Fair Albion is subtitled ‘Visions of England’, with each work representing some of the varied countrysides and landscapes found in the UK. Hawes collaborated with cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and harpist Claire Jones on Fair Albion. Read more…
Paul Lovatt-Cooper: Enter the Galaxies Context Composed in 2008, and dedicated to the Cory Band, Paul Lovatt-Cooper Enter the Galaxies received its premiere at the prestigious Sage in Gateshead. Cory performed the work as part of their winning performance at the 2008 Brass in Concert Championships. The work has become Read more…
Ludwig van Beethoven: The Creatures of Prometheus Overture Context The Creatures of Prometheus is a ballet composed in 1801 by Ludwig van Beethoven. The ballet premiered in March 1801 at the Burgtheater in Vienna, and received its US premiere in 1808. The ballet is the only one that Beethoven wrote. Read more…
Frédéric Chopin: Raindrop Prelude Context Frédéric Chopin’s Prelude Op.28, No.15, also known as the Raindrop Prelude is part of the composer’s 24 preludes. This particular prelude is the longest in the set, lasting between 5-7 minutes. A large proportion of the Op.28 collection was composed during Chopin and George Sand’s Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture Context Composed in 1880 to commemorate the successful Russian defence against Napoleon in 1812, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture has become one of his most popular works. Premiered in August 1882, the 1812 Overture received a rapturous reception due to the work’s epic finale section Read more…
John Barry: The John Dunbar Theme Context Born in 1933 as John Barry Prendergast, the budding young musician worked closely with film from a young age. His father owned a cinema in York, and it was here that his love for film music was born. Barry undertook his national service Read more…