César Franck: Symphony in D minor Context César Franck’s cyclic Symphony in D minor was started in 1877 – a time where the slightly older composer was hitting his creative stride. Although firmly planted in the French music scene, Franck very much admired the Germanic stylings of composers before, including Read more…
Dmitri Kabalevsky: Symphony No.2 Conext Premiered on Christmas Day in 1934, Dmitri Kabalevsky’s Second Symphony is by far the most popular of the four he composed during his lifetime. Although first performed by the Moscow Philharmonic in 1934, the Second Symphony did not receive its international premiere until 1942, with Read more…
Ned Rorem: Symphony No.2 Context American composer Ned Rorem composed his Second Symphony in 1956. So far, Rorem has composed just three symphonies, with the Second being the least performed of the trio. Rorem approaches the structure with an unbalanced edge, with the opening movement being over triple the duration Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.9 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…
John Harbison: Symphony No.4 Context American composer John Harbison composed his Fourth Symphony in 2003 after a commission from the Seattle Symphony came through. The work was premiered in Seattle in June 2004 by the Seattle Symphony, with Gerard Schwarz at the helm. Harbison was very detailed in his programme Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.8 Le Soir Context Often known as the ‘Father of the Symphony’, Joseph Hadyn’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 Read more…
Charles Villiers Stanford: Symphony No.1 Context Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) remains one of Ireland’s most popular composers. After studying at the University of Cambridge, Stanford went to Leipzig in Germany to pursue his musical studies. In 1882, when Stanford was just 29 years old, he became one of the Read more…
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.7 Le Midi 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 Read more…
Karl Goldmark: Rustic Wedding Symphony Context Composed in 1875, Karl Goldmark’s Rustic Wedding Symphony (‘Ländliche Hochzeit’) was premiered in Vienna the following year. The piece received good reviews from critics, audiences and peers alike, with Goldmark’s close friend Johannes Brahms saying “That is the best thing you have done; clear-cut Read more…
Bohuslav Martinů: Symphony No.1 Context One of the leading Czech composers during the 20th Century, Bohuslav Martinů wrote over 400 works, including 6 symphonies, 15 operas, 14 ballet scores and a huge body of chamber and orchestral works. After finding his feet in the style of Neoclassicism, Martinů used Igor Read more…