Johannes Brahms: Symphony No.3 Context Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 was composed in the summer of 1883 in Wiesbaden, which was about 6-7 years after he had completed his Symphony No. 2. It was premiered on December 2nd, 1883 by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Hans Richter. At the time of the premiere, Read more…
Endre Szervánszky: Wind Quintet No.1 Context Hungarian composer Endre Szervánszky composed his popular first Wind Quintet in 1953. Around the same time as composing this work, Szervánszky began experimenting writing works for larger ensembles, which led him to dip into the practises of serialism by the late 1950s. Wind Quintet Read more…
Alan Menken: The Bell Tower Context Shortly after completing Pocahontas together, Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz were offered the chance to work on the music for the 1996 Disney film The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The soundtrack to the film, like many other Disney films, mixes a selection of songs Read more…
Clara Wieck-Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor Context Clara Wieck-Schumann completed her only piano concerto in 1835, when she was aged 15. Already an accomplished touring concert pianist by age 11, Wieck was no stranger to the piano, thus making her Piano Concerto in A minor a true test of Read more…
Alan Menken: Farewell from Pocahontas Context After some great musical successes in the 1980s, Walt Disney Studios hired Alan Menken to write the music for the 1989 film The Little Mermaid. The film signalled a renaissance for Disney animated films, and Menken played a big role in that. Menken has Read more…
Arvo Pärt: Summa Context Summa was first composed in 1978 by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt as a choral work. Some twelve years later, Pärt arranged Summa for string orchestra, which is perhaps the more-performed version today (and the version this blog will focus on). The work reflects the original text Read more…
Christopher Rouse: Supplica Context Christopher Rouse was commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Pacific Symphony in 2013 to compose a work for orchestra. Rouse came up with Supplica – a short orchestral work for a reduced ensemble. The piece was premiered by the PSO under Juraj Valcuha in Read more…
Adolphus Hailstork: Three Spirituals for Orchestra Context Born in Rochester, New York in 1941, Adolphus Hailstork is one of the leading composers in the USA. He received his composition doctorate from Michigan State University, where he studied under Owen Reed. As well as studying at MSU, Hailstork also studied at the Read more…
Arthur Bliss: A Colour Symphony Context Although thoroughly represented on records from the 20th Century, Arthur Bliss’ works are seldom performed outside of the United Kingdom in the 21st Century. As a composer who took influence from composers such as Elgar, Stravinksy, Ravel, and Vaughan Williams, Bliss’ compositional style is quintessentially Read more…
Florence Price: The Oak Context Born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1887, Florence Beatrice Smith Price received early musical training from her mother. Price went to study at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, graduating in 1906 with a Soloist’s Diploma in Organ Performance, and a Teacher’s Diploma in Read more…