Carl Davis: Cranford Theme Context Carl Davis CBE (1936-) is an American-born conductor and composer. He has lived in the UK since the early 1960s. Perhaps best-known for his silent movie music, Davis is also celebrated for his television and film music. Notable television series that Davis worked on include Read more…
Francis Poulenc: Trois mouvements perpétuels Context Composed in 1918 when Poulenc was only 19 years old, Troi mouvements perpétuels is a short three movement suite for solo piano. The suite was premiered in December 1918 by Poulenc’s teacher, Ricardo Viñes and was dedicated to the artist Victor Hugo. The suite Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Tábor Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Tábor is the fifth 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…
Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus Overture Context Operettas became popular in Europe from the 1850s, with the quick theatrical pace and comedic plot lines pleasing audiences for years. The infectious melodies that dominated operettas from this time fitted really well with the waltzes and polkas that Strauss had been pleasing Read more…
Johann Strauss II: Tausend und eine Nacht Context Translated as ‘Thousand and One Nights’, Johann Strauss II composed this famous waltz in 1871. The melodies for this waltz came from his first operetta Indigo und die vierzig Räuber (‘Indigo and the Forty Thieves’). Though a triumph for the composer, the Read more…
Johann Strauss II: The Blue Danube Context Johann Strauss II’s perennially popular Blue Danube Waltz was composed in 1866 for a special concert on 15th February 1867 with the Vienna Men’s Choral Association. Although now firmly in the hall of fame of classical music, The Blue Danube received a rather Read more…
Thierry Deleruyelle: Fraternity Context Composed for the 2016 European Brass Band Competition, Thierry Deleruyelle’s work Fraternity is a staple in Championship repertoire. Fraternity was also used at the 2017 British Open competition, where the work was voted the ‘Test Piece of the Year’ for 2016 and 2017. The work is Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Z českých luhů a hájů Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Z českých luhů a hájů is the fourth 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 Read more…
Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring Context The Rite of Spring is a ballet and concert work by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. The music was composed for the 1913 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes company. Vaslav Nijinsky created the original choreography, whilst stage designs and costumes were managed Read more…
Peter Maxwell Davies: Farewell to Stromness Context Composed in the late 1970s and premiered in 1980, Peter Maxwell Davies’ solo piano work, Farewell to Stromness, is one of his most accessible works. The piece was written as a protest against a proposed uranium mine near the small village of Stromness, Read more…