Rebecca Clarke: Morpheus Context Composed in 1917 when Rebecca Clarke pursued a musical career in the USA, Morpheus is a powerful work for solo viola. Premiered by the composer in a recital at Aeolian Hall in New York City, Morpheus also received early performances by Clarkes in Carnegie Hall. Clarke Read more…
Sally Beamish: Gala Water Context Sally Beamish was born in London. She studied viola at the RNCM with Patrick Ireland, and in Detmold with Bruno Giuranna, and was a founder member of the Raphael Ensemble. She also performed regularly with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and the London Sinfonietta, and Read more…
William Grant Still: Three Visions Context Known for being one of the forefront African-American composers of the 20th century, William Grant Still’s legacy lives on today. Still was the first American composer to have an opera produced by the New York City Opera, the first African-American composer to conduct a Read more…
Morfydd Llwyn Owen: Four Welsh Impressions Context Although Welsh composer Morfydd Llwyn Owen only composed seriously for the last 10 years of her short life, her huge catalogue showcases her musical styles and genres she used. Composed between 1914-15, Four Welsh Impressions sits as part of Owen’s solo piano catalogue. Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Seasons May: White Nights Context Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed his twelve character pieces for piano, The Seasons, at the same time that he was writing his popular ballet, Swan Lake. Each piece in The Seasons depicts a different month of the year in Russia. Although originally Read more…
Giuseppe Tartini: Devil’s Trill Violin Sonata Context Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770) was a Venetian violinist and composer. Born in Piran, Tartini was a part of an old aristocratic family. His parent’s had intended him to become a friar, which is why he received the musical training that he did from a young Read more…
Eugène Bozza: Aria Context Although a trained violinist himself, it was his incredible archive of works for wind instruments that has kept Eugène Bozza’s flame alive today. Aria, which was originally composed for alto saxophone and piano, has remained one of the composer’s most-performed solo works. Composed in 1936, Aria Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Seasons April: Snowdrop Context Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed his twelve character pieces for piano, The Seasons, at the same time that he was writing his popular ballet, Swan Lake. Each piece in The Seasons depicts a different month of the year in Russia. Although originally composed Read more…
Germaine Tailleferre: Sonata for Harp Context French composer Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983) composed her Sonata for Harp in 1953 for the Spanish harpist Nicanor Zabaleta. The sonata was later revised in 1957 after the premiere. The sonata is praised for its influences of jazz, Spanish Habanera and expressionism. The Music Read more…
Frédéric Chopin: Nocturne in Eb Major, Op.9, No.2 Context Frédéric Chopin composed the three nocturnes of Opus. 9 in 1832 and dedicated them to Madame Marie Pleyel. Although all three nocturnes are popular in solo piano repertory, number two is considered to be Chopin’s most famous and most performed work. Read more…