Vítězslav Novák: Lady Godiva Context After finishing his popular tone poem Toman a lesní panna in 1907, a very urgent commission fell at Vítězslav Novák’s door. Jaroslav Vrchlický had written a play based on the story of Lady Godiva for the opening of the new Prague Municipal Theatre. The director Read more…
Frederick Delius: Prelude to Irmelin Context Composed between 1890-92. Frederick Delius’ opera Irmelin had quite a wait until its premiere in 1953. The opera is based on two different fairytales, with Delius writing the libretto as well as the music. Sir Thomas Beecham directed the UK premiere of Irmelin in Read more…
Karl Jenkins: White Water Context Composed specifically for the 2019 album of the same name, White Water is one of Karl Jenkins’ newest works for piano. A special piece that celebrated his 75th birthday, White Water is a mesmerising work that will bring you peace whenever you require it. The Read more…
Alban Berg: Three Pieces for Orchestra Context Composed between 1913-15, Alban Berg’s Three Pieces for Orchestra were dedicated to his teacher at the time, Arnold Schoenberg. The premiere of the first two pieces of the suite were premiered in Berlin in June 1923, conducted by Anton Webern. The full suite Read more…
George Frideric Handel: The Lord Gave the Word 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 Read more…
Philip Glass: Morning Passages Context Composed as part of the award-winning soundtrack for the 2002 film The Hours, Philip Glass’ Morning Passages is a hypnotic work for solo piano. Glass’ soundtrack won a BAFTA for ‘Best Film Music, alongside receiving nominations for an Academy Award for ‘Best Original Score’, a Read more…
Domenico Zipoli: Elevazione for Cello and Oboe Context Domenico Zipoli (1688-1726)was an Italian Baroque composer. Not much is known about Zipoli and his life, however we do know that he became a Jesuit so he could teach music in Paraguay and Peru. He is often remembered for being one of Read more…
Johannes Brahms: Academic Festival Overture Context Composed in 1880 as a thank you for an honorary degree from The University of Breslau, Johannes Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture is a tongue and cheek musical representation of student songs that celebrate drinking, rowdiness and merriment. The irony of this overture is that Read more…
Florence Price: Snapshots Context Composed between 1947-52, Florence Price’s Snapshots is an explorative three-movement piano work. One of her most expansive piano works, Snapshots was modern for the time, with an impressionistic twist threaded throughout the movements. The Music I – Lake Mirror Although the first to appear Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.16 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…