Aulis Sallinen: Sunrise Serenade Context Finnish contemporary composer Aulis Sallinen began to learn music from a young age. He attended the prestigious Sibelius Academy and after graduating became a composition tutor there. His works have been labelled as ‘neo-romantic’ with many blurring the lines between genres that were popular in Read more…
Ludwig van Beethoven: The Creatures of Prometheus Overture Context The Creatures of Prometheus is a ballet composed in 1801 by Ludwig van Beethoven. The ballet premiered in March 1801 at the Burgtheater in Vienna, and received its US premiere in 1808. The ballet is the only one that Beethoven wrote. Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture Context Composed in 1880 to commemorate the successful Russian defence against Napoleon in 1812, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture has become one of his most popular works. Premiered in August 1882, the 1812 Overture received a rapturous reception due to the work’s epic finale section Read more…
John Barry: The John Dunbar Theme Context Born in 1933 as John Barry Prendergast, the budding young musician worked closely with film from a young age. His father owned a cinema in York, and it was here that his love for film music was born. Barry undertook his national service Read more…
Eric Coates: The Dambusters March Context Composed as the theme to the 1955 British war film, The Dam Busters, Eric Coates’ work of the same name is one his most beloved works. The music has become synonymous with both the film and the real Operation Chastise. Often used as an Read more…
Gustav Mahler: Blumine Context Composed in 1884 as the original second movement of Gustav Mahler’s First Symphony, Blumine received its premiere on November 20th 1889 in Budapest. The soon-to-be-doomed second movement was taken out of the First Symphony after the third performance, which Mahler conducted in 1894 in Weimar. The Read more…
Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Concerto in E Major Context Composed potentially between c.1717-1723, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Violin Concerto in E major was written to satisfy the requirements of Prince Leopold. The Prince wanted Bach to compose large numbers of secular music, as well as his ever-popular sacred works. It is Read more…
John Williams: Leaving Hogwarts Context John Williams’ score for Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone has been the basis for all of the Harry Potter film scores. Unlike many other soundtracks, this one in particular is very popular, with most tracks being instantly recognisable. Williams is intelligent in the way he orchestrates previous themes Read more…
Arthur Honegger: Pacific 231 Context Composed in 1923 under the original title Mouvement Symphonique, Arthur Honegger’s popular orchestral work is one his most performed works. Soon changed to the title Pacific 231, the piece highlighted Honegger’s love for locomotives. He once commented saying: “I have always loved locomotives passionately. Read more…
Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus Ouvertüre Der historische Kontext Seit der 1850er wurden den Operetten beliebt in Europa, aufgrund des schnellen theatralischen Tempo und komödiantischer Handlungen, die dem Publikum jahrelang gefallen. Die ansteckenden Melodien, die die Operetten zu dieser Zeit dominierte, haben ganz gut mit den Walzern und Polka von Read more…