Michael Giacchino: Ratatouille Main Theme Context Michael Giacchino returned to Pixar for the second time to compose the score for the 2007 film, Ratatouille. Giacchino had previously written the music for The Incredibles (2004) and went on to write the music for Up (2009). The score for Ratatouille was nominated Read more…
Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.6 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…
Edvard Grieg: In Autumn Context Edvard Grieg composed his concert overture, In Autumn in 1865. The work is inspired by Autumn landscapes that Grieg enjoyed in his homelands. The overture takes the listener through a number of different sections, each showcasing a different highlight of Autumn. Although seldom heard in Read more…
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Andante for Flute & Orchestra K.315 Context Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his Andante for Flute & Orchestra in 1778, after a commission came through from Ferdinand De Jean. De Jean also commissioned K.313, also known as Flute Concerto No.1 in G major. However, the issue was that Read more…
Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Context Edvard Grieg composed his famous Piano Concerto in 1868, and remained the only completed concerto by the composer. Grieg was the intended soloist for the 1869 premiere in Copenhagen, however the 25-year old composer had another commitment. Edmond Neupert was drafted in as Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.1 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…
Jerry Goldsmith: Suite from Mulan Context Jerry Goldsmith composed the score for the 1998 Disney film, Mulan, with Matthew Wilder and David Zippel writing the songs. The original soundtrack was released in 1998 and was conducted by Goldsmith. The score was nominated for an Academy Award for ‘Best Original Musical Read more…
Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.5 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…
George Frideric Handel: The People that Walked in Darkness 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 Read more…
Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No.2 Context Edvard Grieg met Henrik Ibsen in Italy in 1866, after which Grieg was commissioned to write the music for Peer Gynt. The play premiered in 1876 in Oslo. Ibsen put tight deadlines and complex challenges to Grieg, which he struggled with until the Read more…