Gioachino Rossini: William Tell Overture Context Born in February 1792 into a family of musicians in Pesaro, Italy, Gioachino Rossini began to learn the piano from age eight. Rossini became a multi-instrumentalist at a young age, being competent at piano, cello and horn by his late teens. Rossini is most Read more…
Malcolm Arnold: Beckus the Dandipratt Context Malcolm Arnold was born in Northampton, England in October 1921. He took up playing the trumpet at age 12, and after studying and practising intensely for five years, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music. Whilst at RCM, Read more…
Giuseppe Verdi: The Force of Destiny Overture Context Giuseppe Verdi’s La forza del destino (‘The Force of Destiny’) was first performed at the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre in Saint Petersburg in 1862. It remains one of Verdi’s most popular productions to date, with there being a number of recordings and performances Read more…
Malcolm Arnold: Peterloo Overture Context Malcolm Arnold was born in Northampton, England in October 1921. He took up playing the trumpet at age 12, and after studying and practising intensely for five years, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music. Whilst at RCM, Arnold Read more…
Louise Farrenc: Overture No. 1 in E minor Context Born in May 1804, French composer, pedagogue and concert pianist Louise Farrenc enjoyed a fruitful reputation during her lifetime. She learned under some of the best including Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Ignaz Moscheles.She also received composition lessons from Anton Reicha – Read more…
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart The Marriage of Figaro Overture Context The overture is very lively and its persistent driven tempo throughout makes this an incredibly thrilling piece of music that has been one of the most played orchestral works since its premiere in 1786. Typically an overture showcases some famous themes/melodies Read more…
George Antheil: McKonkey’s Ferry Context Composed in 1948, George Antheil’s concert overture, McKonkey’s Ferry was inspired by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze’s famous oil painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas Day, 1776. The concert piece was premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra in December 1948. The Music Read more…
Richard Wagner: The Flying Dutchman Overture Context Plagued by high tides, crashing waves and dramatic twists and turns, Richard Wagner’s overture to his 1843 opera The Flying Dutchman remains a concert hall favourite. This drama-filled story of the Flying Dutchman reaching for redemption through the love of a faithful woman Read more…
Ferdinand Hérold: Zampa Overture Context Ferdinand Hérold’s comic opera, Zampa was premiered in Paris in May 1831. Although a highly popular production in Europe and the USA during the next fifty years, by the time of the turn of the century, Zampa had faded in popularity. Its overture, however, has Read more…
Franz von Suppé: Light Cavalry Overture Context Franz von Suppé’s 1866 operetta Leichte Kavallerie has remained seldom performed since its premiere in Vienna in 1866. However, the overture to the operetta has remained Suppé’s most popular and most performed work. Often heard in concert halls, as well as in film Read more…