William Walton: Two Pieces from Henry V No.1 Passacaglia – The Death of Falstaff 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 Sargent Read more…
Dmitri Shostakovich: Festive Overture Context Commissioned by the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow at the very last minute for the 37th anniversary of the 1917 Revolution event in 1954, Dmitri Shostakovich’s Festive Overture was composed in a matter of days. The premiere took place in November 1954, performed by the Bolshoi Theatre Read more…
Max Bruch: Scottish Fantasy Context Max Bruch was born on January 6th 1838 in Cologne. He received early musical training by pianist and composer, Ferdinand Hiller. Unlike quite a large proportion of classical musicians, Bruch’s family were very supportive of his music studies, and were often pushing him to take it Read more…
Alexander Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia Context Composed in 1880, Alexander Borodin’s In the Steppes of Central Asia was intended to be presented as one of the tableaux vivants to celebrate the silver anniversary of the reign of Emperor Alexander II of Russia. The event didn’t happen as Read more…
Eric Coates: The Merrymakers Context Subtitled ‘A Miniature Overture’, Eric Coates’ orchestral works The Merrymakers was completed in 1923. Originally called A New Year’s Overture, Coates changed the name to suit the personality and character of the piece. At the time of composition it is said that Coates was in Read more…
Aaron Copland: The Red Pony Suite Context Composed for Lewis Milestone’s 1949 film The Red Pony, Aaron Copland’s music for the film was soon made into a concert suite. The suite was originally arranged for the Houston Symphony Orchestra and came about due to the lack of commercial success from Read more…
Giuseppe Verdi: Dies Irae Context Born in October 1813, Giuseppe Verdi grew up in Le Roncole, a small village in Italy. After learning the organ, Verdi showed a real interest in learning music, to which he parents acknowledged and bought him a spinet for the family house (a spinet is a Read more…
Grace Mary Williams: Sea Sketches Context Grace Mary Williams was born in Barry, Wales in 1906, where from a young age was encouraged to take part in musical activities. Both of Williams’ parents were school teachers, who both loved music. Williams took up the piano and violin with her siblings and Read more…
Aaron Copland: Letter from Home Context Aaron Copland (1900-1990), was born in Brooklyn, New York City into a Conservative Jewish family. Whilst growing up he, along with his other siblings, was offered music lessons. Copland became a proficient pianist, but found his interest was within composition. In his early composition career, Read more…
John Williams: Harry’s Wondrous World Context By the year 2001, John Williams was already one of the most sought after film composers in the world. With a wealth of awards and nominations behind him, he had already composed the iconic music to films like Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and Jaws. Read more…