Robert Muczynski: A Serenade for Summer Context Composed in 1976 when Robert Muczynski (1929-2010) was composer-in-residence at the University of Arizona, A Serenade for Summer was first recorded by the Arizona Chamber Orchestra. Along with many other works by Muczynski, A Serenade for Summer is diatonic and hones back to Read more…
Vítĕzslava Kaprálová: Elegy Context Vítĕzslava Kaprálová (1915-1940) was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, to musical parents. By age 9, Kaprálová was composing her own music after learning with her parents at home. In 1930, Kaprálová was offered a place to study at Brno Conservatory, where she studied composition, choral and orchestral Read more…
Jan Ladislav Dussek: Piano Trio in F Major Context Composed c.1790, Jan Ladislav Dussek’s Piano Trio in F Major (Op.20, No.3), is a truly thrilling work in the genre. Dussek’s in-depth knowledge of the piano certainly aided him in creating such a large catalogue of music including the piano. He Read more…
Ronald Binge: The Watermill Context Composed in 1958 by British composer Ronald Binge, The Watermill is one of his most treasured pieces of light orchestral music. As well as in the concert hall, The Watermill was also used in the British comedy film Our Girl Friday. The piece was also Read more…
John Williams: Flying from E.T. Context E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was released in 1982 and was produced and directed by Steven Spielberg. John Williams composed the music for this blockbuster film, with it eventually becoming one of his most popular and well-loved scores. The story tells of Elliott, a boy who Read more…
Sergei Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 Context Composed between 1906-1907, and premiered in 1908, the symphony was the Russian composer’s second attempt at writing for a full orchestra. Although now Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony is popular in concert halls, it was rather surprising that it was even composed. With how poorly the Read more…
Stephen Bulla: Images for Brass Context Stephen Bulla grew up in a musical family, with his father playing tuba, and his mother playing piano. Bulla took up music too, and he ended up studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he passed with distinction. At Berklee, Read more…
John Rutter: A Gaelic Blessing Context Commissioned by the Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska in 1978, John Rutter’s A Gaelic Blessing is one of his most popular works. Written for SATB choir, A Gaelic Blessing is primarily known for the repeated chants of the Read more…
George Enescu: Symphony No.1 Context Romanian composer George Enescu (1881-1955) composed his First Symphony in 1905 after training at the Paris and Vienna conservatoires where he studied under the tutelage of Gabriel Fauré, Robert Fuchs and Jules Massenet. The symphony was performed the following year and the score was dedicated Read more…
Ludovico Einaudi: Nuvole Bianche Context Ludovico Maria Enrico Einaudi was born in Turin, Italy in 1955. Einaudi began to compose his own music when he reached his teen years, with his main musical tool being a guitar. He decided to study formally and gained a place at the prestigious Conservatorio Read more…