Nino Rota: Harp Concerto Context Although famed for his film scores, Nino Rota also wrote a collection of other works that were not linked to film. His 1947 Harp Concerto is a fantastic example of Rota’s sensitive and lyrical writing as he composes for a naturally elegant instrument. The concerto Read more…
John Williams: Flying to Neverland Context John Williams was brought on board for Stephen Spielberg’s 1991 film, Hook, as it was originally intended to be a musical. After this idea was scrapped, Williams began working on the orchestral soundtrack. During the recording of the soundtrack, Williams conducted the orchestra. The Read more…
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Petite Suite Context Born in August 1875 in Holborn, London, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor started learning the violin at a young age. At first it was Coleridge-Taylor’s maternal grandfather that taught him until he saw his obvious abilities and paid for him to have professional lessons. At age 15, Coleridge-Taylor Read more…
Ron Goodwin: 633 Squadron Context English composer Ron Goodwin was asked to write the music for the 1964 war film 633 Squadron a year before the release of the film. The main title theme was an instant hit and has since been arranged for a number of different ensembles, as Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.2 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…
John Williams: Olympic Fanfare and Theme Context Commissioned by the Los Angeles Olympic Organising Committee for the 1984 Summer Olympics, John Williams had a big task on his hands. The premiere took place in July of 1984 at the Hollywood Bowl, which was then broadcast across the USA. Williams then Read more…
Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.7 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…
John Williams: Star Wars Main Title Context Between 1977 and 2019 John Williams has composed the scores for nearly all of the Star Wars films. Much of the music is linked between the films, with perhaps the most famous being the Main Title. Originally recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra Read more…
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Bassoon Concerto Context Composed in 1774, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto is a staple in bassoon repertory. Written when Mozart was just 18 years old, the concerto was the first he wrote for a woodwind instrument. The bassoon gained much popularity in the 16th century, with composers Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Pifa Messiah Part I 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 being the King Read more…