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…
Philip Sparke: The Land of the Long White Cloud Context Born in 1951 in London, Philip Sparke studied composition, trumpet and piano performance at the Royal College of Music. Due to his affiliation with brass, Sparke is known for his many popular works for both brass bands and wind orchestras. Read more…
Ursula Mamlok: From My Garden 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, Read more…
Ursula Mamlok: Concerto for Oboe 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…
Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No.4 ‘Italian’ Context During the early 1830s, Felix Mendelssohn visited Italy, where he was inspired to write a number of his works, including the vivacious Fourth Symphony. Whilst in Italy, Mendelssohn travelled through Florence, Venice, Naples, Genoa, Rome and Milan, which showed him so many different sides 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…
Maurice Ravel: Jeux d’eau Context Composed in 1901 when Maurice Ravel was under the tutelage of Gabriel Fauré, Jeux d’eau (‘Fountains’ / ‘Water Games’) was dedicated to the composer’s tutor. The first premiere of the piece came at a private viewing for the Les Apaches. The public premiere came in Read more…
Maurice Ravel: La Valse Context Maurice Ravel composed La Valse between 1919 and 1920, with the premiere taking place on 12th December 1920 in Paris. Although originally conceived as music for ballet, La Valse is now more commonly heard as a concert piece. The commission from the work came from Read more…