Bedřich Smetana: Blaník Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Blaník is the sixth work of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single work in six movements, Smetana conceived them all Read more…
Jennifer Higdon: All Things Majestic Context Composed in 2011 from a commission by the Grand Teton Music Festival, Jennifer Higdon’s orchestral suite All Things Majestic is a provocative four movement work. All Things Majestic was premiered at Walk Festival Hall on August 19th, 2011. The music tells of some of Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Tábor Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Tábor is the fifth work of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single work in six movements, Smetana conceived them all Read more…
Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus Overture Context Operettas became popular in Europe from the 1850s, with the quick theatrical pace and comedic plot lines pleasing audiences for years. The infectious melodies that dominated operettas from this time fitted really well with the waltzes and polkas that Strauss had been pleasing Read more…
Johann Strauss II: An der schönen, blauen Donau Der Kontext Der beständige populäre An der schönen, blauen Donau wurde 1866 von Johann Strauss II für ein besonderes Konzert am 15. Februar 1867 mit dem Wiener Männergesang-Verein komponiert. Obwohl der Walzer jetzt einen Platz in der Ruhmeshalle der klassischen Musik hat, Read more…
John Williams: Theme from Superman Context Following on from the successes from some of his other 1970s film scores for films such as Jaws (1975) and Star Wars (1977), John Williams produced another iconic film score for Superman in 1978. At the first recording session of the film, Director Richard Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Z českých luhů a hájů Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Z českých luhů a hájů is the fourth work of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Suite Context Composed between 1875-76, Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet Swan Lake was not an immediate hit with audiences and critics. After revisions were made and new productions came and went, now Swan Lake is one of the most popular ballets of all time. In Read more…
Elizabeth Maconchy: Nocturne for Orchestra Context Elizabeth Maconchy was born to Irish parents in Hertfordshire, 1907. After her birth, the family moved back to rural Ireland, where Maconchy began taking piano lessons. She started to compose her own music by age six and when she was in her late teens Read more…
Engelbert Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel Overture Context Engelbert Humperdinck was born in Germany in 1854. He began taking piano lessons at a very young age, and by age seven he had already composed his first work. Humperdinck came from a largely non-musical family, who, in turn, didn’t support his music Read more…