Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata for Two Violins Context Sergei Prokofiev composed his Sonata for Two Violins in 1932 for a commission from Triton, a new Paris-based society dedicated to showcasing new chamber music. The inaugural concert took place in December of the same year. With the permission from the commissioner, Prokofiev Read more…
Antonio Vivaldi: Bassoon Concerto in E minor Context Antonio Vivaldi composed a vast amount of concertos for a range of different instruments. No less than 230 of those are for violin, with the second most popular concerto soloist being the bassoon for Vivaldi. Out of the 39 bassoon concertos that Read more…
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Context Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik was composed in 1787 at the same time as he was writing the music for his opera Don Giovanni. The title translates to ‘A Little Serenade’, although it is also known as ‘A Little Night Music’. Originally, Read more…
Tansy Davies: neon Context Tansy Davies was born in May 1973 in Bristol, UK. From a young age she was interested in singing and playing guitar in rock ensembles. Davies is also a proficient French Horn player and played in a range of various ensembles. As well as performance, Davies was also Read more…
Joe Hisaishi: Birthday Context Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi is known for his experimental style and his huge collection of film soundtracks. Hisaishi has also released a number of solo albums too, which are all unique in their own way. Some explore minimalism, some electronic music, and some classical Japanese musics. Read more…
Gabriel Fauré: Piano Quartet No.2 Context Gabriel Fauré composed his Second Piano Quartet between 1885-86, and it premiered in January 1887 at the Société Nationale de Musique. The quartet was published soon after the premiere performance and was dedicated to Hans von Bülow. The quartet is one of only two Read more…
Louise Farrenc: Nonet in Eb Major Context Born in May 1804, French composer, pedagogue and concert pianist Louise Farrenc enjoyed a fruitful reputation during her lifetime. She learned under some of the best including Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Ignaz Moscheles.She also received composition lessons from Anton Reicha – a professor Read more…
David Diamond: Rounds for String Orchestra Context David Diamond (1915-2005) was an American composer who studied in New York and Paris. He wrote a range of works including 10 string quartets and 11 symphonies. Although Diamond didn’t receive the popularity that some of his American contemporaries did, his works are Read more…
Henryk Górecki: Harpsichord Concerto Context Henryk Górecki’s Harpsichord Concerto was composed at the request of Andrzej Chłopecki, head of Polish Radio Music Station. The commission came in 1980 at a time when Górecki was exploring pure instrumental music after more than a decade of dedicating himself to vocal and choral Read more…
Peter Boyer: Three Olympians Context Peter Boyer was commissioned by The Conductors Institute to compose a work for them in 2000. Three Olympians was the outcome of this commission. The original recording was done at the Abbey Road Studios, with the London Symphony Orchestra (2001). The work was recorded again Read more…