Eric Ball: Torch of Freedom Context Eric Walter John Ball was born in Gloucestershire in October 1903 and was the eldest of 16 siblings. He learned to play the piano and organ and by 1919 Ball started to work in the Salvation Army musical instrument department in London. Ball is Read more…
Claude Debussy: Rêverie Context Composed in 1890, Rêverie is a peaceful solo work for piano by Claude Debussy. The title refers to a dream-like state, which Debussy addresses head on with this work. Although still very popular today, the work was one of Debussy’s earlier works, meaning that it wasn’t Read more…
Leonard Bernstein: Wonderful Town Overture Context With lyrics by Comden and Green, Leonard Bernstein was asked to compose the music for the 1953 musical Wonderful Town. The story, based on the novel by Chodorov and Fields, follows two sisters who pursue a career in acting in New York City. As Read more…
Leonard Bernstein: Overture to Candide Context Leonard Bernstein composed the music for the operetta Candide in 1955-56. The operetta is based on the 1759 novella of the same name by Voltaire. The premiere was unsuccessful and after some revisions and creative changes, Candide has become a very popular show. The Read more…
Ronald Binge: Miss Melanie Context Composed in 1956, Miss Melanie is said to be a lady from Ronald Binge’s imagination. A fun-loving and joyful character, Miss Melanie is another example of Binge’s token ‘Light British’ style from the 20th century. This descriptive short piece tells of some of the activities Read more…
Ronald Binge: Sailing By Context Composed in 1963 by British composer Ronald Binge, Sailing By is known by many as the theme before the late Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4. The piece is played every night at 12.45am, with the piece being used not only for its simplicity and Read more…
Ronald Binge: Elizabethan Serenade Context Famed for his light orchestral music, the works of Ronald Binge capture the essence of quality British classical music. From Sailing By, to The Watermill, Binge’s works are full of character and are still treasured today. Elizabethan Serenade was composed in 1951 and originally entitled Read more…
Ursula Mamlok: Constellations 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…
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…
Ursula Mamlok: Molto Vivo 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, Read more…