Aram Khachaturian: Sabre Dance Context Aram Khachaturian’s ever-popular Sabre Dance is originally part of the final act of the composer’s 1942 ballet Gayane. The music accompanies the dancers as they show their skills with sabres. Sabre Dance has become a signature piece in 20th century repertoire, with it often being Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Seasons June: Barcarolle Context Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed his twelve character pieces for piano, The Seasons, at the same time that he was writing his popular ballet, Swan Lake. Each piece in The Seasons depicts a different month of the year in Russia. Although originally composed Read more…
Harold Shapero: String Trio Context Harold Shapero (1920-2013) was an American composer hailing from Lynn, Massachusetts. A fine pianist, Shapero studied at Harvard where he studied under Walter Piston, Paul Hindemith and Leonard Bernstein. Whilst studying at Harvard and Tanglewood Music Centre, Shapero met some of the leading composers such Read more…
Dora Bright: Piano Concerto No.1 Context Sheffield-born composer, Dora Bright (1862-1951) wrote a number of large scale works, though not many have survived since her death. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music between 1881-89 under the tutelage of Walter Macfarren and Ebenezer Prout. Bright conducted big German tours Read more…
Bohuslav Martinů: Sen o minulosti Context One of the leading Czech composers during the 20th Century, Bohuslav Martinů wrote over 400 works, including 6 symphonies, 15 operas, 14 ballet scores and a huge body of chamber and orchestral works. After finding his feet in the style of Neoclassicism, Martinů used Read more…
George Frideric Handel: He Was Despised 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 source being Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.7 Le Midi 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 Read more…
Paul Reade: Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite Context Paul Reade (1943-1997) was born in Liverpool, UK. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied piano performance with Alan Richardson. Whilst at the Academy, Reade had his first orchestral work, Overture to a City, premiered by the resident orchestra, Read more…
Emilie Mayer: Piano Concerto in Bb Major Context Emilie Mayer (1812-1883) was a prolific German composer, who, although admittedly started seriously composing later in life, still managed to create a huge oeuvre of music. Mayer composed c.15 overtures, 8 symphonies and a large selection of chamber music. Mayer’s earlier works Read more…
Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.12 Context Johannes Brahms completed his 21 Hungarian Dances by 1879, and they still remain one his most popular collections of music. All of the dances are based on traditional Hungarian folk tunes and range from c.1 minute to 6 minutes in duration. Some of the Read more…