Johann Strauss II: The Blue Danube Context Johann Strauss II’s perennially popular Blue Danube Waltz was composed in 1866 for a special concert on 15th February 1867 with the Vienna Men’s Choral Association. Although now firmly in the hall of fame of classical music, The Blue Danube received a rather Read more…
Johann Strauss II: An der schönen, blauen Donau Der Kontext Der beständige populäre An der schönen, blauen Donau wurde 1866 von Johann Strauss II für ein besonderes Konzert am 15. Februar 1867 mit dem Wiener Männergesang-Verein komponiert. Obwohl der Walzer jetzt einen Platz in der Ruhmeshalle der klassischen Musik hat, Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Z českých luhů a hájů Context Composed as part of Má vlast (My Homeland), Z českých luhů a hájů is the fourth work of a set of six symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The poems were composed between 1874-1879. Although now often performed as a single Read more…
Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring Context The Rite of Spring is a ballet and concert work by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. The music was composed for the 1913 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes company. Vaslav Nijinsky created the original choreography, whilst stage designs and costumes were managed Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks Context George Frideric Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks was originally composed for a suite of wind instruments. Handel re-orchestrated the suite for an orchestra after the original performance. The suite was composed in 1749 through the request of George II of Read more…
Johann Strauss II: Tritsch-Tractsch-Polka Context Composed in 1858 after a succesful tour of Russia, Johann Strauss II’s Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka is one of his most beloved polkas. Full of high spirits, jaunty melodies and fluttering winds, this polka has it all. The polka was premiered in a concert in Vienna on 24th Read more…
Sergei Prokofiev: Kijé Suite Context Originally composed for the film Lieutenant Kijé, the accompanying Kijé Suite was composed in 1934. This was Prokofiev’s first commission to compose film music. Interestingly, Prokofiev was not an obvious choice to commission for this film. At this point in his life, Prokofiev was living Read more…
Leroy Anderson: Sleigh Ride Context The popular light orchestra standard Sleigh Ride was composed by American composer Leroy Anderson. A master of light orchestral music, much of Anderson’s music became popular through performances by the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Although known as a festive work, the Read more…
Hans Zimmer: The Battle Der Kontext 2000 wurde Hans Zimmer gefragt, den Soundtrack für den populären Film Gladiator von Ridley Scott zu komponieren. Der Film geht um die Hauptfigur Maximus Decimus Meridius, der während des Films ein Opfer der Sklaverei ist und an dem bestechlichen Leiter Commodus Rache nimmt. Die Read more…
John Williams: Theme from 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…