John Rutter: The Beatles Concerto Although largely known for his choral and vocal works, John Rutter has also composed an interesting collection of orchestral works. His three movement concerto for two pianos: The Beatles Concerto, is based on Read more…
Dmitri Shostakovich: Waltz No. 2 Composed as part of Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Orchestra – Waltz No. 2 is one of the composer’s most famous works. The suite was composed post-1956, and was subsequently used as part of Read more…
Edward Elgar: The Music Makers Edward Elgar is fondly remembered as one of the forefront English composers of the late 19th/early 20th century. His music is often incorporated into international concerts, with some of his most Read more…
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Don Giovanni Overture In anticipation of Opera on Location‘s exciting four day run of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in Sheffield later this month, this blog is dedicated to the fantastically dramatic overture of the opera. Composed Read more…
Eric Coates: By The Sleepy Lagoon Known for being one of the forefront light music composers in the 20th Century, Eric Coates is fondly remembered for his romantic waltzes, powerful marches, and catchy melodies. Composed in Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 103 ‘Drumroll’ Joseph Haydn was born in 1732 in Rahrau, Austria, where he was brought up listening to and performing folk-music. As he grew up he showed musical talent, and his parents Read more…
John Adams: The Chairman Dances The Chairman Dances by American composer John Adams is a mezmerising display of programmatic mastery in the post-minimalist movement. Written in 1985, the piece is essentially a by-product of his very Read more…
Arnold Bax: Tintagel By far Arnold Bax’s (1883-1953) most popular work, Tintagel is a symphonic poem that was inspired by Tintagel Castle, which can be found in North Cornwall. Adjacent to the small village of Tintagel, the site Read more…
Béla Bartók – Concerto for Orchestra Béla Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra is a five-movement piece of orchestral music that was written in 1943. Born in Hungary in 1881, Bartók is another composer who showed potential from a Read more…
Arturo Márquez: Danzón No. 2 Commissioned in 1994 by the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Danzón No. 2 is one of the most frequently performed pieces of Mexican contemporary classical music. Based on the Mexican partnered dance, the Read more…