Dag Wirén: String Quartet No.3 Context Swedish composer Dag Wirén’s musical oeuvre can be summed up by looking at just his five string quartets. Composed between 1935 and 1970, the span and development of Wirén’s style can be assessed throughout all quartets. The composer removed the first quartet that composed Read more…
Joly Braga Santos: String Quartet No.1 Context Remembered for being one of the leading Portugese composers during the 20th century, Joly Braga Santos (1924-1988) composed six symphonies and a collection of chamber works. After recently having a small surge of recordings made, Braga Santos’ music is rightfully receiving more attention. Read more…
Imogen Holst: String Quintet Context As the only child of British composer, Gustav Holst, Imogen Holst (1907-1984) is fondly remembered for being a popular composer, arranger, administrator, teacher and conductor. Her oeuvre is comprised of works for a number of different ensembles and genres, making her a rather diverse composer. Read more…
Francis Poulenc: Sextet for Wind Quintet & Piano Context Francis Poulenc’s Sextet for Wind Quintet & Piano was composed during his time as part of Les Six in c.1931-32. After a not-so satisfactory premiere in Paris, Poulenc heavily revised the work in 1939 stating that: “There were some good ideas Read more…
George Gershwin: Lullaby for String Quartet Context Composed in 1919 when George Gershwin was still a student, Lullaby for String Quartet was one of the young composer’s first ‘serious’ works. As with many of Gershwin’s works, Lullaby was conceived at the piano and fully harmonised before Gershwin arranged it for Read more…
William Grant Still: Lyric Quartet 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…
Einojuhani Rautavaara: A Requiem in Our Time Context Composed in 1953 when he was still a student at the Sibelius Academy, A Requiem of Our Time was the first of three works for brass ensemble that Rautavaara composed. The piece brought an international spotlight onto Rautavaara after he won the Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion Messiah Part I 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 Read more…
Dulcie Holland: Fantasy Trio Context Composed in 1938 for a violin, cello and piano trio, Australian composer Dulcie Holland’s (1913-2000) Fantasy Trio is a real treat for the ears. Regarded as one of most significant composers of her time, Holland’s music spans from chamber to solo repertoire. Holland’s work as Read more…
Béla Bartók: Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion Context Composed for nine instruments (2x pianos, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, snare drum, triangle, tam-tam and xylophone), Béla Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion certainly packs a punch. Written in 1937 and premiered in 1938 by Bartók and his second wife Read more…