George Gershwin: Cuban Overture Context The genesis of George Gershwin’s Cuban Overture lies in a two week trip the composer took to Havana in 1932. Known for its nightlife and music, Havana made a big impression on Gershwin. He basked in exciting irregular rhythmic patterns and exotic harmonies which he Read more…
Judith Weir: Stars, Night, Music and Light Context Judith Weir was born in 1954 in Cambridge, and at a young age she began learning the oboe. Weir in her youth performed regularly with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. She studied composition whilst at school with none other than John Read more…
Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique Context With its full title reading Symphonie Fantastique: Épisode de la vie d’un artiste en cinq parties (Fantastical Symphony: An Episode in the Life of an Artist, in Five Parts), the work lends itself to being autobiographical. The first performance was at the Paris Conservatoire in Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Šárka Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Šárka is the third 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…
Howard Shore: The Shire Context Composed for the first instalment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Shire is a piece of orchestral underscore that showcases the beautiful landscape that the hobbits reside in. Howard Shore composed over 150 leitmotifs throughout the three LOTR films (even more if you Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Lift Up Your Heads Messiah Part II Context George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens, with the source Read more…
Patrick Hawes: Fair Albion Context English composer Patrick Hawes is one of the countries leading composers. Having worked with some of the finest musicians, orchestras, conductors, record labels and radio stations, Hawes is a tour de force within English classical music. He held the position of Composer in Residence with Read more…
Grażyna Bacewicz: Concerto for String Orchestra Context Grażyna Bacewicz was Born in Łódź, Poland in 1909, Bacewicz was introduced to music at a young age by her father. She furthered her musical studies by enrolling at the Warsaw Conservatory, where she majored in piano, violin and composition. Afterwards she travelled Read more…
Bear McCreary: Godzilla Main Title Context The American film, TV and video game composer Bear McCreary (1979-) is one of the leaders in mainstream composition. He is best-known for his work on the new Battlestar Galactica (2004-09) TV series, as well as other popular shows such as The Walking Dead Read more…
Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.18 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…