Bedřich Smetana: Z českých luhů a hájů Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Z českých luhů a hájů is the fourth 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 Read more…
Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring Context The Rite of Spring is a ballet and concert work by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. The music was composed for the 1913 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes company. Vaslav Nijinsky created the original choreography, whilst stage designs and costumes were managed Read more…
Peter Maxwell Davies: Farewell to Stromness Context Composed in the late 1970s and premiered in 1980, Peter Maxwell Davies’ solo piano work, Farewell to Stromness, is one of his most accessible works. The piece was written as a protest against a proposed uranium mine near the small village of Stromness, Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks Context George Frideric Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks was originally composed for a suite of wind instruments. Handel re-orchestrated the suite for an orchestra after the original performance. The suite was composed in 1749 through the request of George II of Read more…
Hildegard von Bingen: O eterne Deus Context Translated into ‘O eternal God’, this short antiphon by Hildegard von Bingen talks about central themes of love and the dawning of humankind. She uses lots of imagery of light and divinity, making this a hopeful antiphon. The Text Latin and English translations Read more…
Johann Strauss II: Tritsch-Tractsch-Polka Context Composed in 1858 after a succesful tour of Russia, Johann Strauss II’s Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka is one of his most beloved polkas. Full of high spirits, jaunty melodies and fluttering winds, this polka has it all. The polka was premiered in a concert in Vienna on 24th Read more…
John Tavener: God is With Us: A Christmas Proclamation Context Known for his incredible catalogue of sacred vocal works, John Tavener has been described as “having a very rare gift of being able to bring an audience to a deep silence.” Although Tavener is largely celebrated for his choral works, Read more…
Hildegard von Bingen: Cum erubuerint Context Hildegard von Bingen’s haunting choral work Cum erubuerint is a companion piece to her other antiphon Cum processit factura. Between these two works the story of Adam and Eve’s naive fall into deception and how the Virgin Mary and her Son graced the world Read more…
Sergei Prokofiev: Kijé Suite Context Originally composed for the film Lieutenant Kijé, the accompanying Kijé Suite was composed in 1934. This was Prokofiev’s first commission to compose film music. Interestingly, Prokofiev was not an obvious choice to commission for this film. At this point in his life, Prokofiev was living Read more…
Leroy Anderson: Sleigh Ride Context The popular light orchestra standard Sleigh Ride was composed by American composer Leroy Anderson. A master of light orchestral music, much of Anderson’s music became popular through performances by the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Although known as a festive work, the Read more…