John Williams: Welcome to Jurassic Park Context Composed for the 1993 Steven Spielberg film Jurassic Park, the theme to the film has remained one of John Williams’ most iconic works. The soundtrack was conducted a month after its composition, with Williams conducting a large proportion of the recording. However, after Read more…
Valentin Silvestrov: Hymn Context Composed in 2001, Valentin Silvestrov’s heart-wrenching Hymn is scored for string orchestra. Described as a ‘noble song of praise’, Hymn works with textures and atmospheres to create a cohesive piece of music. Silvestrov writes this at the front of the score: “My Hymn is enveloped Read more…
Ernest Moeran: Lonely Waters Context Published in a set of two piece for small orchestra, Ernest Moeran’s Lonely Waters was published in 1935. However, Moeran completed the work sometime in 1931, with the premiere taking place a year later in January 1932 at The Queen’s Hall. Lonely Waters is dedicated Read more…
Elmer Bernstein: The Magnificent Seven Main Title Context Elmer Bernstein is fondly remembered as being one of the leading film composers of the 20th Century. His music is some of the most recognisable, with his scores for The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963) and Ghostbusters (1984) being particular Read more…
Ottorino Respighi: Pines of Rome Context Ottorino Respighi was born on July 9th, 1879 in Bologna, Italy. From a young age he was taught piano by his father, as he was working as a local music teacher in the area. Respighi later enrolled at the Liceo, where he studied violin, Read more…
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Don Giovanni Overture Context Composed in 1787, Don Giovanni is an opera in two acts. Its popularity when it premiered shot it into immediate success, and in the modern day it still remains as one of the most popular operas of all time. Don Giovanni cleverly intertwines both serious drama and comedy Read more…
John Williams: Raiders March Context Also known as the ‘Indiana Jones Theme’, John Williams’ Raiders March was originally used in the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark. The 1981 recording was conducted by Williams and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Williams’ score was nominated for an Academy Away Read more…
Arnold Bax: Tintagel Context Arnold Bax’s (1883-1953) most popular orchetsral work Tintagel is a symphonic poem that was inspired by Tintagel Castle, which can be found in North Cornwall. Adjacent to the small village of Tintagel, the site is more specifically located on the peninsula of Tintagel Island. This symphonic poem was Read more…
Aaron Copland: Hoe-Down Context Composed as part of the 1942 ballet Rodeo, this vivacious hoe-down is full of American spirit. Based on the theme from the first bar of William H. Stepp’s interpretation of the folk tune Bonaparte’s Retreat, the famous melody that Copland put together has remained one his Read more…
William Walton: Two Pieces from Henry V No.2 – Touch Her Soft Lips and Part Context William Walton was asked to compose the music for the 1944 film of Shakespeare’s Henry V. Walton himself did not create a suite from the music he composed for this film, however Sir Malcolm Read more…