Franz Waxman: Sunset Boulevard Prelude Context Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 film noir with music from German composer, Franz Waxman. The film score was the last thing to be added to the film, and Waxman took great care on how themes would represent different characters, in particular the character of Read more…
Ursula Mamlok: Constellations Context Born on February 1st, 1923, Ursula Mamlok was born in Berlin, Germany into a primarily Jewish family. Her biological father, Hans Meyer, died when she was a baby, but her mother remarried fairly soon after. Mamlok composed and performed as a child in Berlin, however, due Read more…
John Ireland: The Holy Boy Context John Ireland’s The Holy Boy has seen a huge transformation over the course of 30 years. The original version dates back from December 1913, and was part of Ireland’s Preludes for Piano. It was composed when Ireland was the organist at St Luke’s Church, Read more…
Hugo Wolf: Italian Serenade Context Completed in 1886, Hugo Wolf’s Italian Serenade is written for string quartet. This short piece of light chamber music was to become an audience favourite in years to come. The music is vivacious and colourful, with Wolf’s range of writing being showcased effectively. The Read more…
György Ligeti: Lontano Context György Ligeti was a pioneering Hungarian composer during the post-war era;. His seemingly avant-garde style led him to create some groundbreaking works during the 20th century. Lontano was composed in 1967, and was quite the standout at the time of creation. ‘Lontano’ is the Italian word Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.19 Context Often known as the ‘Father of the Symphony’, Joseph Haydn’s legacy as a symphonist stays strong today. Haydn composed 104 symphonies over the course of his long and fruitful life, and we at Classicalexburns want to help you discover the stories and music behind all Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Hallelujah Chorus Context George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens, with the source being the King James Bible. Read more…
Georgiy Conus: Rêverie Context Georgiy Conus (1862-1933) was primarily known as a music theorist, who also composed a number of works, many for the piano. Part of his Trois Compositions, Rêverie (Op.7) was composed sometime between 1895-1900. The Music Part of the building works of what we know as Read more…
Ursula Mamlok: Breezes Context Born on February 1st, 1923, Ursula Mamlok was born in Berlin, Germany into a primarily Jewish family. Her biological father, Hans Meyer, died when she was a baby, but her mother remarried fairly soon after. Mamlok composed and performed as a child in Berlin, however, due Read more…
Amanda Maier: Violin Sonata in B Minor Context Born in the Swedish town of Landskrona in 1853, Amanda Maier began her musical studies from a young age. Her father was a violinist and pianist, and so Maier learned from him in the first instance. Maier went on to study at Read more…