Ursula Mamlok: Breezes Context Born on February 1st, 1923, Ursula Mamlok was born in Berlin, Germany into a primarily Jewish family. Her biological father, Hans Meyer, died when she was a baby, but her mother remarried fairly soon after. Mamlok composed and performed as a child in Berlin, however, due 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…
Igor Stravinsky: Octet Context Scored for the unusual set up of flute, clarinet, bassoons, trumpets, tenor trombone and bass trombone, Igor Stravinsky’s Octet was composed around the beginning of his neoclassical phase. After quickly writing the score in 1922, Octet premiered at the Paris Opera House in October 1923, with Read more…
Steve Reich: Quartet Context Co-commissioned by the Southbank Centre, Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, Cité de la musique and Köner Philharmonie, Steve Reich’s Quartet was premiered in 2013 by the Colin Currie Group. Dedicated to percussionist Colin Currie, the quartet is made up of two pianos and two vibraphones. The Read more…
Debbie Wiseman: Wolf Hall Context First broadcast in 2015, BBC’s Wolf Hall is a six-part historical series based on Hilary Mantel’s novels of the same name. The story follows that of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII through to the death of Sir Thomas More. Debbie Wiseman wrote Read more…
Bohuslav Martinů: La Revue de Cuisine Suite Context One of the leading Czech composers during the 20th Century, Bohuslav Martinů wrote over 400 works, including 6 symphonies, 15 operas, 14 ballet scores and a huge body of chamber and orchestral works. After finding his feet in the style of Neoclassicism, Read more…
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quintet No.1 Context Felix Mendelssohn’s First String Quintet (Op.18) was composed in 1826, and then revised later in 1832. The main cause for the revision was the composer’s dissatisfaction with the original minuet movement, so instead Mendelssohn wrote in a slow movement in memory of violinist Eduard 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…
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…
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…