Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Concerto in E Major Context Composed potentially between c.1717-1723, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Violin Concerto in E major was written to satisfy the requirements of Prince Leopold. The Prince wanted Bach to compose large numbers of secular music, as well as his ever-popular sacred works. It is Read more…
John Williams: Leaving Hogwarts Context John Williams’ score for Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone has been the basis for all of the Harry Potter film scores. Unlike many other soundtracks, this one in particular is very popular, with most tracks being instantly recognisable. Williams is intelligent in the way he orchestrates previous themes Read more…
John Ireland: Decorations Context John Ireland was born in Bowdon, Cheshire in 1879, and was the youngest of five children. It has been widely documented that Ireland had a rough childhood. His mother and father died within a year of each other in 1893 and 1894, when he was just 14/15 Read more…
Philip Sparke: A Tale as Yet Untold Context A Tale as Yet Untold was composed in 2010 after a commission came to Sparke from the Cory Band. The band wanted a work to take to the European Brass Band Championships in Linz, Austria. Their winning performance of this piece at Read more…
Maree Docia: At Last, Sunrise Context Hidden in the deep depths of Spotify you can find this simple track by Maree Docia. At Last, Sunrise, along with its adorable artwork, is a short work for piano and string ensemble. What is truly intriguing is that there is absolutely no information Read more…
Ruth Schönthal: Sonata, quasi un’improvvisazione Context Composed in 1964, Ruth Schönthal’s Sonata, quasi un’improvvisazione is one of three one-movement sonatas that she composed. The other two are Sonata Breve (1972) and Sonatensatz (1973). The premiere of this sonata happened at the Delta Omicron 26th Annual WNYC Festival of American Music Read more…
Derek Bourgeois: Serenade Context Derek Bourgeois studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge and the Royal College of Music, where he received specialist composition tutelage by Herbert Howells and conductor education from Si Adrian Boult. Bourgeois worked at a number of places as a lecturer, teacher and conductor, whilst also writing a Read more…
Arthur Honegger: Pacific 231 Context Composed in 1923 under the original title Mouvement Symphonique, Arthur Honegger’s popular orchestral work is one his most performed works. Soon changed to the title Pacific 231, the piece highlighted Honegger’s love for locomotives. He once commented saying: “I have always loved locomotives passionately. Read more…
George Gershwin: Walking the Dog Context George Gershwin’s short ditty Walking the Dog has become a staple work for clarinettists. Composed in 1937, the work was originally used for the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film score Shall We Dance. Interestingly, most of the score from the film has remained Read more…
Ruth Schönthal: Self-Portrait of the Artist as an Older Woman Context Ruth Schönthal was a Jewish-American pianist and composer who was of German birth. Schönthal was a remarkable pianist, dedicated pedagogue and keen composer throughout her lifetime, with her taking a professorship at several universities in New York. Schönthal’s compositional Read more…