Leonard Bernstein: Overture to Candide Context Leonard Bernstein composed the music for the operetta Candide in 1955-56. The operetta is based on the 1759 novella of the same name by Voltaire. The premiere was unsuccessful and after some revisions and creative changes, Candide has become a very popular show. The Read more…
Engelbert Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel Overture Context Engelbert Humperdinck was born in Germany in 1854. He began taking piano lessons at a very young age, and by age seven he had already composed his first work. Humperdinck came from a largely non-musical family, who, in turn, didn’t support his music Read more…
Robert Muczynski: A Serenade for Summer Context Composed in 1976 when Robert Muczynski (1929-2010) was composer-in-residence at the University of Arizona, A Serenade for Summer was first recorded by the Arizona Chamber Orchestra. Along with many other works by Muczynski, A Serenade for Summer is diatonic and hones back to Read more…
Ronald Binge: The Watermill Context Composed in 1958 by British composer Ronald Binge, The Watermill is one of his most treasured pieces of light orchestral music. As well as in the concert hall, The Watermill was also used in the British comedy film Our Girl Friday. The piece was also Read more…
John Williams: Flying from E.T. Context E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was released in 1982 and was produced and directed by Steven Spielberg. John Williams composed the music for this blockbuster film, with it eventually becoming one of his most popular and well-loved scores. The story tells of Elliott, a boy who Read more…
Sergei Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 Context Composed between 1906-1907, and premiered in 1908, the symphony was the Russian composer’s second attempt at writing for a full orchestra. Although now Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony is popular in concert halls, it was rather surprising that it was even composed. With how poorly the Read more…
Ronald Binge: Miss Melanie Context Composed in 1956, Miss Melanie is said to be a lady from Ronald Binge’s imagination. A fun-loving and joyful character, Miss Melanie is another example of Binge’s token ‘Light British’ style from the 20th century. This descriptive short piece tells of some of the activities Read more…
Arwel Hughes: Fantasia in A Minor Context Arwell Hughes (1909-1988) was born near Wrexham, North Wales. He attended the Royal College of Music, where he studied with Ralph Vaughan Williams. Hughes worked as a professional organist and conductor, leading the way in premiering new works by Welsh composers. He often Read more…
Judith Weir: The Welcome Arrival of Rain Context Judith Weir was born in 1954 in Cambridge, and at a young age she began learning the oboe. Weir in her youth performed regularly with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. She studied composition whilst at school with none other than Read more…
Jules Massenet: Meditation Context Used as an instrumental en’tract between scenes in Act II of Jules Massenet’s opera Thaïs, Meditation has since become a popular concert piece for violinists around the world. The piece reflects Thaïs, a beautiful courtesan, reflecting on big decisions that are coming their way. The orchestra Read more…