Yasushi Akutagawa: Trinita Sinfonica Context Composed during a period of Yasushi Akutagawa’s career where his music became influenced by some of the foremost Russian composers. Known as his ‘Sino-Soviet’ period (1947-57), Akutagawa went on cultural exchanges with the USSR and was made aware of the music of Dmitri Shostakovich and Read more…
Edward Elgar: Symphony No.1 Context Composed some way into his long musical career, the long awaited First Symphony from Edward Elgar did not disappoint. Premiered by the Hallé Orchestra under Hans Richter in December 1908, the First Symphony received great success in its first year. The symphony came at a Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.19 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…
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…
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…
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…
Louise Farrenc: Symphony No.3 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 – a professor at Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.17 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…
Vincent D’Indy: Symphonie Cévenole Context The French composer and pedagogue Vincent d’Indy (1851-1931) composed and published many works over his lifetime, although sadly now many of his works are seldom heard in concerts. One of the only works that does receive performances is Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français (‘Symphony Read more…
Bedřich Smetana: Triumphal Symphony Context Composed in 1853-54, Bedřich Smetana’s only formal symphony, also known as the ‘Triumphal’ or ‘Festive’, is an interesting work. It was written ironically for an event that never actually happened. The hope of Emperor Franz Josef becoming the King of Bohemia following his royal marriage Read more…