Charles Strouse: Annie Overture Context Originally based on Harold Gray’s comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, the broadway musical Annie is one of the most popular of the 20th century. With music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, some of the most popular songs include Tomorrow, It’s the Hard Read more…
Dorothy Howell: Lamia Context Fresh out of the Royal Academy of Music aged 21, Dorothy Howell achieved her biggest fame with the symphonic poem, Lamia. Based on the Keats poem of the same name, the work was premiered by Sir Henry Wood at The Proms on 10th September 1919, and Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Suite Context Composed between 1875-76, Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet Swan Lake was not an immediate hit with audiences and critics. After revisions were made and new productions came and went, now Swan Lake is one of the most popular ballets of all time. In Read more…
Rachel Portman: Theme from Emma Context Rachel Portman wrote the score for the 1996 film Emma and was released in July of the same year by Hollywood Records. Portman commented on the style of the score saying that it was: “A purely classical score. It is an orchestral piece, Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.18 Context Often known as the ‘Father of the Symphony’, Joseph Haydn’s legacy as a symphonist stays strong today. Haydn composed 104 symphonies over the course of his long and fruitful life, and we at Classicalexburns want to help you discover the stories and music behind all Read more…
Sergei Prokofiev: Dance of the Knights Context Taken from his 1935 ballet Romeo and Juliet, Dance of the Knights, also known as Montagues and Capulets, is one of Sergei Prokofiev’s most iconic works. The piece is also included in Prokofiev’s second suite of ballet music from Romeo and Juliet. In Read more…
Antonín Dvořák: Hussite Overture Context Composed for the 1883 gala opening of the Prague National Theatre, Antonín Dvořák’s Hussite Overture is one of his more relaxed ‘Slavonic period’ works. The Music Opening with a rich woodwind chorale theme, the Hussite Overture sets a solemn scene. Sonorous bassoon basslines sing Read more…
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.1 Context Composed between winter 1887 and spring 1888, Gustav Mahler’s First Symphony went through a number of revisions after its premiere in 1888. Originally composed as a “symphonic poem in two parts”, Mahler composed the work during his time at the Leipzig Opera House. First constructed Read more…
William Mathias: Serenade Context Welsh composer, William Mathias, composed Serenade in 1963. Although largely remembered for his large catalogue of choral music, Mathias also wrote a number of orchestral works, including three seldom performed symphonies. The Music Serenade is an intensely pastoral work that is split into three contrasting Read more…
Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No.4 ‘Italian’ Context During the early 1830s, Felix Mendelssohn visited Italy, where he was inspired to write a number of his works, including the vivacious Fourth Symphony. Whilst in Italy, Mendelssohn travelled through Florence, Venice, Naples, Genoa, Rome and Milan, which showed him so many different sides Read more…