Max Richter: Dream 13 (minus even) Context Dream 13 (minus even) is part of Max Richter’s latest album From Sleep. It aims to aid people establish a much more peaceful sleeping routine, and also a more peaceful thinking regime in the daytime. This way of thinking has intrigued Richter throughout his career, with questions like Read more…
Gabriel Fauré: Dolly Suite Context Gabriel Fauré’s set of piano duets, also known as the Dolly Suite, were composed between 1893-96. Each duet marks the birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions in the life of the daughter of Fauré’s mistress, Emma Bardac. The daughter, Régina-Hélène Bardac, was known as Dolly to Read more…
Philip Glass: Music in Similar Motion Context Composed in 1969, Philip Glass’ Music in Similar Motion is an open score that can be played by any group of instruments. As with the minimalist tradition, Music in Similar Motion is a collection of repeated figures all moving in the same direction, Read more…
Francis Poulenc: Cello Sonata Context Francis Poulenc began sketching his Cello Sonata in 1940, but the work was considered complete until 1948. The premiere performance happened in Paris in May 1949, with Poulenc playing the piano and Pierre Fournier, to whom the piece is dedicated, playing the cello. Fournier helped Read more…
William Walton: Two Pieces from Henry V No.2 – Touch Her Soft Lips and Part Context William Walton was asked to compose the music for the 1944 film of Shakespeare’s Henry V. Walton himself did not create a suite from the music he composed for this film, however Sir Malcolm Read more…
William Walton: Two Pieces from Henry V No.1 Passacaglia – The Death of Falstaff Context William Walton was asked to compose the music for the 1944 film of Shakespeare’s Henry V. Walton himself did not create a suite from the music he composed for this film, however Sir Malcolm Sargent Read more…
Giacomo Puccini: I Crisantemi Context Although mainly celebrated for his operas and vocal pieces, Giacomo Puccini also wrote a handful of works for chamber ensembles. Puccini had an affinity with the string quartet, which was something he experimented a lot with whilst studying at conservatory. 1890 was the year he Read more…
Luigi Boccherini: String Quintet in E Major Context Luigi Boccherini composed his famous E major String Quintet in 1771, although it wasn’t officially published until 1775. During the 1770s, Boccherini largely exclusively wrote for the Font String Quartet, who had links to King Charles III of Spain and his brother, Read more…
Arnold Schoenberg: Notturno for Strings and Harp Context Composed in 1895, Arnold Schoenberg’s Notturno for Strings and Harp combines unusual scoring with a side of Schoenberg’s earlier style that people don’t always remember. This single-movement work set in Ab is scored for solo violin, harp and small string orchestra. There Read more…
Benjamin Britten: Phantasy Quartet Context Composed whilst Benjamin Britten was studying at the Royal College of Music, Phantasy Quartet was premiered in August 1933 as a BBC broadcast. Subtitled ‘Quartet in one movement for oboe, violin, viola and violoncello’, the interesting orchestration makes it one of Britten’s stand-out chamber works. Read more…