Maurice Ravel: La Valse Context Maurice Ravel composed La Valse between 1919 and 1920, with the premiere taking place on 12th December 1920 in Paris. Although originally conceived as music for ballet, La Valse is now more commonly heard as a concert piece. The commission from the work came from Read more…
Astor Piazzolla: Libertango Context Composed in 1974 whilst in Milan, Astor Piazzolla’s Libertango is one of his most recognisable works. A significant shift from the traditional tango form to the tango nuevo, Libertango incorporates elements of jazz to create a new hybrid genre. Piazzolla is remembered for paving the way Read more…
Ann Southam: Webster’s Spin Context After years of writing electronic music, Canadian composer Ann Southam abandoned the tapes and tracks and focused on more classically-inclined pieces. Webster’s Spin, a composition for string orchestra, was composed in 1993 after a commission came from the CBC. The Manitoba Chamber Orchestra premiered the Read more…
Josef Suk: 4 Pieces for Violin & Piano Context Composed in the spring of 1900, Josef Suk’s 4 Pieces for Violin and Piano (Op.17) was dedicated to fellow violinist Karel Hoffmann. This small suite of music shows the breadth of Suk’s penmanship and showcases his technical writing when it comes Read more…
Felix Mendelssohn: Ruy Blas Overture Context After reading (and hating) Victor Hugo’s Ruy Blas, Felix Mendelssohn was asked to write an overture based on the grim story in 1839. The play, based in 18th-century Spain, tells the story of Ruy Blas, a servant who is tricked by his master, Don Read more…
Selim Palmgren: Snöflingor Context Selim Palmgren (1878-1951) was a Finnish composer and conductor. He studied at the Music Conservatory in Helsinki, where he then pursued piano performance under the tutelage of Busioni and Berger. He made a small career out of being a concert pianist, where he toured to the Read more…
Joan Tower: Violin Concerto Context Joan Tower was born in New Rochelle, New York in 1938. When Tower was nine, her family moved to Bolivia, which she describes as an integral part of her compositional style. Upon her father’s insistence, she learnt the piano and had consistent musical training. Her Read more…
Peter Meechan: The Legend of King Arthur Context Commissioned by brass band Bürgermusik Luzern in 2010, Peter Meechan’s The Legend of King Arthur is one of his most adventurous works. Meechan was inspired by the endless tales of King Arthur, from the pulling of the sword from the stone, to Read more…
Maurice Ravel: String Quartet Context Composed when he was 28 years old, Maurice Ravel’s String Quartet was completed in April 1903. The work was premiered by the Heymann Quartet at a concert held by the Société Nationale de Musique the following year. Ravel was greatly influenced and inspired by Claude Read more…
Albéric Magnard: Hymne à Vénus Context Although now relatively unknown in modern programming, Albéric Magnard’s collection of works reflects the impressionistic and highly romantic stylings of turn-of-the-century French classical music. His expansive orchestral works, rich with harmony and textures, highlights his time studying under Vincent d’Indy and Jules Massenet whilst Read more…