Bohuslav Martinů: Concerto for String Quartet 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 Read more…
Boris Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in B Minor Context The first in his collection of chamber works, Boris Tchaikovsky’s (no relation to Pyotr Ilyich) Piano trio in B minor was composed in 1953. Whilst studying at the prestigious Moscow Conservatory, Tchaikovsky was a student of Myaskovsky and Shostakovich. Lots of Tchaikovsky’s Read more…
Karl Goldmark: Rustic Wedding Symphony Context Composed in 1875, Karl Goldmark’s Rustic Wedding Symphony (‘Ländliche Hochzeit’) was premiered in Vienna the following year. The piece received good reviews from critics, audiences and peers alike, with Goldmark’s close friend Johannes Brahms saying “That is the best thing you have done; clear-cut Read more…
Rebecca Clarke: Morpheus Context Composed in 1917 when Rebecca Clarke pursued a musical career in the USA, Morpheus is a powerful work for solo viola. Premiered by the composer in a recital at Aeolian Hall in New York City, Morpheus also received early performances by Clarkes in Carnegie Hall. Clarke Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Behold, The Lamb of God 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…
Bohuslav Martinů: Rhapsody-Concerto 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 Igor Stravinsky Read more…
Sally Beamish: Gala Water Context Sally Beamish was born in London. She studied viola at the RNCM with Patrick Ireland, and in Detmold with Bruno Giuranna, and was a founder member of the Raphael Ensemble. She also performed regularly with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and the London Sinfonietta, and Read more…
Mikhail Glinka: Grand Sextet 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 composers such Read more…
Hans Zimmer: Homeland Context Homeland, composed by Hans Zimmer, is the title music for the 2002 DreamWorks film, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. The soundtrack was made in collaboration with Bryan Adams, who sang on many of the tracks in the album. The orchestral underscore, however, was down to Zimmer. Read more…
William Grant Still: Three Visions Context Known for being one of the forefront African-American composers of the 20th century, William Grant Still’s legacy lives on today. Still was the first American composer to have an opera produced by the New York City Opera, the first African-American composer to conduct a Read more…