Francis Poulenc: Sextet for Wind Quintet & Piano Context Francis Poulenc’s Sextet for Wind Quintet & Piano was composed during his time as part of Les Six in c.1931-32. After a not-so satisfactory premiere in Paris, Poulenc heavily revised the work in 1939 stating that: “There were some good ideas Read more…
Malcolm Arnold: Fantasy for Brass Band Context Composed between 1973-74 for England’s 1974 National Brass Band Championships, Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasy for Brass Band proved to be a hit with bands across the nation. The Cory Band, then conducted by Major H. A. Kenney, are said to be the band that Read more…
Emmanuel Chabrier: España Context Whilst touring around Spain between July and December of 1882, Emmanuel Chabrier took great interest in some of the traditional dances that he saw. He wrote in October of that year that he was to return home soon to compose an “extraordinary fantasia” which would be Read more…
Mikhail Glinka: Waltz Fantasy for Orchestra Context Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857) although seldom heard in concert halls today, was in fact an incredibly influential composer of his time. He is often regarded as one of the leading figures of Russian classical music, with his compositional style having an important influence on Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Thou shalt break them Messiah Part II 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 Read more…
Ursula Mamlok: Molto Vivo 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, Read more…
Philip Sparke: The Land of the Long White Cloud Context Born in 1951 in London, Philip Sparke studied composition, trumpet and piano performance at the Royal College of Music. Due to his affiliation with brass, Sparke is known for his many popular works for both brass bands and wind orchestras. Read more…
Heino Eller: Videvik (‘Twilight’) Context Remembered largely for his orchestral works, Estonian composer Heino Eller is starting to receive the attention he very much deserves. Breakthrough recordings of some of his early orchestral works have begun to surface, showcasing the Estonian classical voice of the 20th century. Videvik was composed Read more…
Gabriel Fauré: Élégie Context Composed in 1880, Gabriel Fauré’s Élégie for solo cello was first performed in 1883. Originally composed for cello and piano, Fauré also orchestrated the work for cello and orchestra. At first, Fauré was looking into writing a cello sonata and it was in his method to Read more…
John McCabe: Salamander Context Composed for a commission by Michael Webber for the English Heritage to celebrate their 10th birthday of the Historical Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, Salamander was premiered in June 1994. Grimethorpe Colliery and David Urquhart Yorkshire Imperial Bands, conducted by Geoffrey Brand, united at Kenwood Read more…