Missy Mazzoli: Dark with Excessive Bright Context Missy Mazolli composed Dark with Excessive Bright specifically for contrabass soloist, Maxime Bibeau and the Australian Chamber Orchestra in 2018. Part of Mazzoli’s programme note reads: “I was inspired in no small part by Maxime’s double bass, a massive instrument built in Read more…
Giacomo Puccini: Capriccio Sinfonico Context After completing his studies at the Milan Conservatory in 1883, Giacomo Puccini presented Capriccio Sinfonico at his graduation ceremony. This purely orchestral work is one of only three extensive works for orchestra as he then dedicated his craft to opera. Capriccio Sinfonico ended up being Read more…
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quintet No.1 Context Felix Mendelssohn’s First String Quintet (Op.18) was composed in 1826, and then revised later in 1832. The main cause for the revision was the composer’s dissatisfaction with the original minuet movement, so instead Mendelssohn wrote in a slow movement in memory of violinist Eduard Read more…
Arthur Bliss: The Belmont Variations Context Named after the town in Massachusetts where Arthur Bliss’s wife was born, The Belmont Variations was composed for the Brass Band National Finals in 1963. The piece premiered on the Royal Albert Hall stage, with CWS Manchester band winning top prize. Arranged by Frank Read more…
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Rest Context Composed in 1902, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ choral work, Rest, is scored for a mixed SATB choir without accompaniment. Lyrics were written by English poet, Christina Rosetti, and were part of her set of poetry, Goblin Market and Other Poems (1865). The Words O Read more…
Louise Farrenc: Symphony No.3 Context Born in May 1804, French composer, pedagogue and concert pianist Louise Farrenc enjoyed a fruitful reputation during her lifetime. She learned under some of the best including Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Ignaz Moscheles. She also received composition lessons from Anton Reicha – a professor at Read more…
Edward Elgar: Carissima Context Composed in December 1913, Carissima was the first ever piece by Edward Elgar that was recorded. The first public performance of the work happened in February 1914, with Landon Ronald conducting. This work was the start of Elgar’s collection of small-scale light orchestral pieces. The Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Why do the nations so furiously rage together 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 Read more…
Aaron Copland: Buckaroo Holiday Context Composed as part of the 1942 ballet Rodeo, this vivacious hoe-down is full of American spirit. Based on the theme from the first bar of William H. Stepp’s interpretation of the folk tune Bonaparte’s Retreat, the famous melody that Copland put together has remained one Read more…
Felix Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture Context Composed when Felix Mendelssohn was just 17 years old, his Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream has remained one of his most treasured concert pieces. It was composed after Mendelssohn had read the German translation of the play in 1826, but is Read more…