Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus Ouvertüre Der historische Kontext Seit der 1850er wurden den Operetten beliebt in Europa, aufgrund des schnellen theatralischen Tempo und komödiantischer Handlungen, die dem Publikum jahrelang gefallen. Die ansteckenden Melodien, die die Operetten zu dieser Zeit dominierte, haben ganz gut mit den Walzern und Polka von Read more…
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony No.4 Context Composed in 1935, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fourth Symphony is one of his most dissonant and dramatic. The work was dedicated to fellow composer, Arnold Bax. Many think of Vaughan Williams as a ‘pastoral’ composer, with his works oozing modality, melodic excitement and English folk Read more…
Steven Stucky: Lulajże, Jezuniu Context Steven Stucky (1949-2016) was a Pulitzer Prize winning American composer who wrote music for a range of different ensembles. He is perhaps most well-known for his orchestral works such as Dreamwaltzes (1986), Jeu de timbres (2003) and Rhapsodies for Orchestra (2018). Stucky also wrote a Read more…
Dmitri Shostakovich: Jazz Suite No.1 Context Composed in 1934 when Dmitri Shostakovich was 28 years old, his Jazz Suite No.1 was part of his genre-bending stage. The first performance of the work took place on March 24th, 1934 in Leningrad. The orchestration is not for a regular orchestra. Shostakovich handpicks Read more…
Royal Northern Sinfonia: Beethoven 2020 The Royal Northern Sinfonia, in partnership with Middlesbrough Town Hall are celebrating Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary. Over a period of 11 months, starting on the 23rd January, the acclaimed orchestra will pay tribute to the composer by performing each of his 9 symphonies over the course Read more…
Yann Tiersen: Comptine d’un autre été, l’après midi Context Composed as part of the soundtrack for the 2001 film Amélie, Comptine d’un autre été, l’après midi is one of the most iconic tracks. Composed for solo piano, the title loosely translates into ‘Nursery Rhyme from Another Summer’. Yann Tiersen composed Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Vltava Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Vltava is the second work of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single work in six movements, Smetana conceived them all Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Vyšehrad Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Vyšehrad is the first of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single work in six movements, Smetana conceived them all as Read more…
Paul Lovatt-Cooper: Donegal Bay Context Donegal Bay was the first work for brass band that Paul Lovatt-Cooper composed when he was just 18 years old. Written for a solo baritone and brass band, Donegal Bay has become a staple in many band rooms around the world. It is a homage Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Blaník Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Blaník is the sixth work of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single work in six movements, Smetana conceived them all Read more…