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…
Edvard Grieg: In Autumn Context Edvard Grieg composed his concert overture, In Autumn in 1865. The work is inspired by Autumn landscapes that Grieg enjoyed in his homelands. The overture takes the listener through a number of different sections, each showcasing a different highlight of Autumn. Although seldom heard in Read more…
Scott Joplin: Treemonisha Overture Context Scott Joplin is remembered for being one of the most memorable ragtime composers of the turn-of-the-century during his lifetime (1868-1917). After Joplin’s death in 1917, ragtime music came out of the ‘mainstream’ line and started to form into the likes of jazz, big band swing Read more…
Miles Goodman: Overture to The Muppet Christmas Carol Context The Muppet Christmas Carol is a popular musical version of the festive tale, produced by Jim Henson Productions and Disney. Premiered in 1992, the film has seen much success, and is still referred to as one of the greatest Christmas films Read more…
Vincenzo Bellini: Sinfonia from Norma Context Vincenzo Bellini’s most popular opera, Norma was first premiered in December of 1831. With a libretto by Alexandre Soumet, Norma became a leading example of the bel canto genre. Many of Bellini’s other works have been disregarded, yet Norma remains a true staple in Read more…