Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony No.4 Context Composed in 1935, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fourth Symphony is one of his most dissonant and dramatic. The work was dedicated to fellow composer, Arnold Bax. Many think of Vaughan Williams as a ‘pastoral’ composer, with his works oozing modality, melodic excitement and English folk Read more…
Steven Stucky: Lulajże, Jezuniu Context Steven Stucky (1949-2016) was a Pulitzer Prize winning American composer who wrote music for a range of different ensembles. He is perhaps most well-known for his orchestral works such as Dreamwaltzes (1986), Jeu de timbres (2003) and Rhapsodies for Orchestra (2018). Stucky also wrote a Read more…
Dmitri Shostakovich: Jazz Suite No.1 Context Composed in 1934 when Dmitri Shostakovich was 28 years old, his Jazz Suite No.1 was part of his genre-bending stage. The first performance of the work took place on March 24th, 1934 in Leningrad. The orchestration is not for a regular orchestra. Shostakovich handpicks Read more…
Yann Tiersen: Comptine d’un autre été, l’après midi Context Composed as part of the soundtrack for the 2001 film Amélie, Comptine d’un autre été, l’après midi is one of the most iconic tracks. Composed for solo piano, the title loosely translates into ‘Nursery Rhyme from Another Summer’. Yann Tiersen composed Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Vltava Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Vltava is the second work of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single work in six movements, Smetana conceived them all Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Vyšehrad Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Vyšehrad is the first of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single work in six movements, Smetana conceived them all as Read more…
Paul Lovatt-Cooper: Donegal Bay Context Donegal Bay was the first work for brass band that Paul Lovatt-Cooper composed when he was just 18 years old. Written for a solo baritone and brass band, Donegal Bay has become a staple in many band rooms around the world. It is a homage Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Blaník Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Blaník is the sixth work of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single work in six movements, Smetana conceived them all Read more…
Jennifer Higdon: All Things Majestic Context Composed in 2011 from a commission by the Grand Teton Music Festival, Jennifer Higdon’s orchestral suite All Things Majestic is a provocative four movement work. All Things Majestic was premiered at Walk Festival Hall on August 19th, 2011. The music tells of some of Read more…
Gilbert Vinter: Symphony of Marches Context Gilbert Vinter (1909-1969) was most known for his work as a conductor and as a composer of brass band music. Vinter was a chorister at Lincoln Cathedral when he was a young boy. He later took up the bassoon. He conducted the BBC Concert Read more…