Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.13 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…
Richard Strauss: Metamorphosen Context Composed as the Second World War was also coming to a close, Richard Strauss’ Metamorphosen is an intriguing study for 23 solo strings. Commissioned by the founder and then-director of the Basler Kammerorchester, Paul Sacher, Metamorphosen was premiered by the Collegium Musicum Zürich in January 1946. Read more…
George Antheil: McKonkey’s Ferry Context Composed in 1948, George Antheil’s concert overture, McKonkey’s Ferry was inspired by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze’s famous oil painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas Day, 1776. The concert piece was premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra in December 1948. The Music Read more…
Charles Villiers Stanford: Symphony No.1 Context Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) remains one of Ireland’s most popular composers. After studying at the University of Cambridge, Stanford went to Leipzig in Germany to pursue his musical studies. In 1882, when Stanford was just 29 years old, he became one of the Read more…
Aram Khachaturian: Sabre Dance Context Aram Khachaturian’s ever-popular Sabre Dance is originally part of the final act of the composer’s 1942 ballet Gayane. The music accompanies the dancers as they show their skills with sabres. Sabre Dance has become a signature piece in 20th century repertoire, with it often being Read more…
Dora Bright: Piano Concerto No.1 Context Sheffield-born composer, Dora Bright (1862-1951) wrote a number of large scale works, though not many have survived since her death. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music between 1881-89 under the tutelage of Walter Macfarren and Ebenezer Prout. Bright conducted big German tours Read more…
Bohuslav Martinů: Sen o minulosti Context One of the leading Czech composers during the 20th Century, Bohuslav Martinů wrote over 400 works, including 6 symphonies, 15 operas, 14 ballet scores and a huge body of chamber and orchestral works. After finding his feet in the style of Neoclassicism, Martinů used Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.7 Le Midi 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 Read more…
Emilie Mayer: Piano Concerto in Bb Major Context Emilie Mayer (1812-1883) was a prolific German composer, who, although admittedly started seriously composing later in life, still managed to create a huge oeuvre of music. Mayer composed c.15 overtures, 8 symphonies and a large selection of chamber music. Mayer’s earlier works Read more…
Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.12 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…