Lars-Erik Larsson: Pastoral Suite Context In 1937, Swedish composer Lars-Erik Larsson began working as a composer-conductor for the Swedish national radio service. It was here that he pioneered a new genre of music for radio entertainment called ‘Lyrical Suite’. Here art forms collided and with the music playing, poetry would Read more…
Missy Mazzoli: Dark with Excessive Bright Context Missy Mazolli composed Dark with Excessive Bright specifically for contrabass soloist, Maxime Bibeau and the Australian Chamber Orchestra in 2018. Part of Mazzoli’s programme note reads: “I was inspired in no small part by Maxime’s double bass, a massive instrument built in Read more…
Giacomo Puccini: Capriccio Sinfonico Context After completing his studies at the Milan Conservatory in 1883, Giacomo Puccini presented Capriccio Sinfonico at his graduation ceremony. This purely orchestral work is one of only three extensive works for orchestra as he then dedicated his craft to opera. Capriccio Sinfonico ended up being Read more…
Louise Farrenc: Symphony No.3 Context Born in May 1804, French composer, pedagogue and concert pianist Louise Farrenc enjoyed a fruitful reputation during her lifetime. She learned under some of the best including Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Ignaz Moscheles. She also received composition lessons from Anton Reicha – a professor at Read more…
Edward Elgar: Carissima Context Composed in December 1913, Carissima was the first ever piece by Edward Elgar that was recorded. The first public performance of the work happened in February 1914, with Landon Ronald conducting. This work was the start of Elgar’s collection of small-scale light orchestral pieces. The Read more…
Aaron Copland: Buckaroo Holiday Context Composed as part of the 1942 ballet Rodeo, this vivacious hoe-down is full of American spirit. Based on the theme from the first bar of William H. Stepp’s interpretation of the folk tune Bonaparte’s Retreat, the famous melody that Copland put together has remained one Read more…
Felix Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture Context Composed when Felix Mendelssohn was just 17 years old, his Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream has remained one of his most treasured concert pieces. It was composed after Mendelssohn had read the German translation of the play in 1826, but is Read more…
James Hannigan: Get To Potions Context Award-winning composer and creative director James Hannigan has composed a vast amount of video game music. His works have been featured in The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter Warhammer and Wing Commander game series, plus also in games such as Sim Theme Park, Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.17 Context Often known as the ‘Father of the Symphony’, Joseph Haydn’s legacy as a symphonist stays strong today. Haydn composed 104 symphonies over the course of his long and fruitful life, and we at Classicalexburns want to help you discover the stories and music behind all Read more…
Georges Auric: Roman Holiday Main Theme Context Distinguished French film composer Georges Auric wrote the soundtrack for the 1953 American Romantic Comedy, Roman Holiday. Starring big names such as Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, the film has been described as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. The film follows the story Read more…