Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.21 Context Johannes Brahms completed his 21 Hungarian Dances by 1879, and they still remain one his most popular collections of music. All of the dances are based on traditional Hungarian folk tunes and range from c.1 minute to 6 minutes in duration. Some of the Read more…
Karol Szymanowski: Symphony No.2 Context Composed in 1909 when Karol Szymanowski was only 27 years old, his unconventional Second Symphony was influenced by the likes of Alexander Scriabin, Richard Strauss and Max Reger. This symphony gave Szymanowski his big European break, so to speak, with the Polish premiere taking place Read more…
Alban Berg: Three Pieces for Orchestra Context Composed between 1913-15, Alban Berg’s Three Pieces for Orchestra were dedicated to his teacher at the time, Arnold Schoenberg. The premiere of the first two pieces of the suite were premiered in Berlin in June 1923, conducted by Anton Webern. The full suite was premiered, in Read more…
Vítězslav Novák: Lady Godiva Context After finishing his popular tone poem Toman a lesní panna in 1907, a very urgent commission fell at Vítězslav Novák’s door. Jaroslav Vrchlický had written a play based on the story of Lady Godiva for the opening of the new Prague Municipal Theatre. The director Read more…
Frederick Delius: Prelude to Irmelin Context Composed between 1890-92. Frederick Delius’ opera Irmelin had quite a wait until its premiere in 1953. The opera is based on two different fairytales, with Delius writing the libretto as well as the music. Sir Thomas Beecham directed the UK premiere of Irmelin in Read more…
Alban Berg: Three Pieces for Orchestra Context Composed between 1913-15, Alban Berg’s Three Pieces for Orchestra were dedicated to his teacher at the time, Arnold Schoenberg. The premiere of the first two pieces of the suite were premiered in Berlin in June 1923, conducted by Anton Webern. The full suite Read more…
Domenico Zipoli: Elevazione for Cello and Oboe Context Domenico Zipoli (1688-1726)was an Italian Baroque composer. Not much is known about Zipoli and his life, however we do know that he became a Jesuit so he could teach music in Paraguay and Peru. He is often remembered for being one of Read more…
Johannes Brahms: Academic Festival Overture Context Composed in 1880 as a thank you for an honorary degree from The University of Breslau, Johannes Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture is a tongue and cheek musical representation of student songs that celebrate drinking, rowdiness and merriment. The irony of this overture is that Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.16 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…
Alban Berg: Three Pieces for Orchestra Context Composed between 1913-15, Alban Berg’s Three Pieces for Orchestra were dedicated to his teacher at the time, Arnold Schoenberg. The premiere of the first two pieces of the suite were premiered in Berlin in June 1923, conducted by Anton Webern. The full suite Read more…