Second book of Préludes, No. 5: ‘Bruyères’ (“Heather/Town in Eastern France”) by Claude Debussy

Debussy completed his second book of Préludes in 1913. Unlike previous notable collections of preludes by composers such as Bach and Chopin, this collection is not intended to display a composition in each of the tonal keys. Each work in this collection is given an artistic title, however this title is provided at the end of the manuscript as Debussy wanted the performer to experience the piece without being influenced by the name of the work.

Symphony in E minor, H. 652 by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

Bach completed this symphony in 1756 at the age of 42. Bach was living in Berlin at the time and serving in the Royal orchestra of the court of Frederick II of Prussia. Many of the works Bach composed between 1738 and 1768, especially the symphonies, were composed with the intent to be performed by the Royal court.

This symphony is composed for string instruments only. Bach completed a second version of this symphony the same year which horns, flutes and oboes. The version you hear now is the original version, H. 652, for string orchestra.

This work is comprised of three movements:
I. Allegro assai 00:00
II. Andante moderato 03:58
III. Allegro 07:01

Piano Sonata No. 11 in B flat major, Op. 22 by Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven completed this sonata in 1800 at the age of 30. Beethoven was living in Vienna at the time and was popular with both the aristocracy and the public. Beethoven had already received commissions from people such as Prince Joseph Franz von Lobkowitz, Countess Anna Brunsvik of Hungary and the Austrian Count Moritz von Fries.

Another important patron to Beethoven was Johann Georg von Browne, a Russian-Irish officer in the Russian Imperial Army. Browne was one of the earlier patrons to recognise the talent of the young Beethoven, with the composer dedicating several works to Browne from as early as 1798. In gratitude for the ongoing support that Browne provided, Beethoven dedicated his piano sonata No. 11 to Georg von Browne.

This sonata is comprised of four movements:
I. Allegro con brio 00:00
II. Adagio con molto espressione 07:32
III. Menuetto 16:18
IV. Rondo: Allegretto 20:03

Symphonic Poem No. 8, Héroïde funèbre (“Heriod Funeral”), S. 102 by Franz Liszt

Liszt completed ‘Héroïde funèbre’ (his 8th symphonic poem for orchestra) in 1850. Liszt had originally planned to compose an entire symphony with this work serving as the first movement. The symphony would be a commemoration of the July Revolution of 1830, or the ‘Second French Revolution’. This second revolution, after the revolution of 1789, saw the deposition of the Bourbon King Charles X and his replacement with Louis Philippe I, the Duke of Orléans.

Liszt had begun work on the symphony as early as 1830, but events in 1848 had a dramatic effect on the 37-year-old composer. In February of 1848 a third French Revolution, also known as the February Revolution, broke out. This would eventually lead to the deposition of Louis Philippe I and the establishment of the French Republic. The revolution in France would prompt similar uprisings in continental Europe, particularly in Prussia, Austria, and Hungary.

The Hungarian Revolution of 1848 saw several Hungarian generals’ rebel against the Austrian Empire after Emperor Franz Joseph I revoked the so called ‘April Laws’, causing tension with the Hungarian Parliament about their ability to govern as per the democratic will of the Hungarian people.

A friend of Liszt was killed during the Hungarian riots of 1848. Liszt decided to rework the symphony into a tone poem, turning the brass militaristic work into a more sombre eulogy.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

Symphony No. 2 in B major, Op. 13 ‘To October’ by Dmitri Shostakovich

Shostakovich completed the first version of his second symphony in October of 1927 at the age of 21. The composition was commissioned by Lev Shuglin, the head of the Propaganda Department of the State Music Publishing House (Muzsektor), to be part of the 10th anniversary of the October Revolution. While this would not be the first or the last time that Shostakovich felt ominous pressure from the Politburo to compose music for a purpose other than artistic expression, it would one of the more difficult works for the young composer to complete while satisfying both the publisher and the public.

Shostakovich wanted to move away from the style of his first symphony, which took a year to complete, the same amount of time he did not have to complete his second. Additionally, there was pressure to move away from the more conventional musical style of his first symphony to embrace a modernist style that the Politburo felt better reflected the ‘virtue’ of the state.

This symphony was first performed by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra and the Academy Capella Choir on November 5, 1927. After the premiere, Shostakovich made some revisions to the score, and this final version was first played in Moscow later in 1927 with Konstantin Saradzhev conducting.

This work is comprised of a single movement, however there are four distinct sections:
I. Largo 00:00
II. Allegro 03:40
III. Poco meno mosso. Allegro molto 05:40
IV. Chorus: “To October” 11:24

Two Wallachian Dances - Troják: Allegro commando, Op. 34, No. 1 by Vítězslav Novák

Czech composer Vítězslav Novák completed two ‘Wallachian Dances’ for orchestra in 1906 while living in Prague. The two works would be combined in his Op. 34 collection. As the name suggests the two ‘dances’ are based on folk tunes from the Wallachia region, an area of Eastern Europe which covers part of modern-day Romania and the Czech Republic.

These works are indicative of the prevailing sentiment in the Czech region of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to move away from the more popular German style of Brahms and Wagner, and to look to the influence of local music.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

Central Park in the Dark by Charles Ives

The American composer Charles Ives completed this short work for chamber orchestra in 1906. The work is intended to function as a ‘picture-in-sounds’ of a particular place and time, that being Central Park in New York at the turn of the century. Ives gave a detailed explanation of what each group of instruments are meant to represent in terms of the real sounds he heard when in Central Park at night.

This piece is often grouped with two similar works which also function as a musical interpretation of a real time and place, that being ‘Hallowe’en’ (1907) and ‘The Pond’ (1906).

This work is comprised of a single movement.

Orient et Occident (East and West), Op. 25 by Camille Saint-Saëns (arr. Camille Saint-Saëns)

Saint-Saëns originally composed this piece for marching band, specifically to be performed at a gala evening of the Union Central des Beaux-Arts in October of 1869. The purpose of this event was to bring together the artistic talent of the ‘East’ (in this instance referring to North Africa and the Middle East) and the ‘West’ (Europe). The event was held at the Palais de l’Industrie (‘Palace of Industry’), between the River Seine and the Champs-Élysées.

While the piece is not divided into separate movements, there are three distinct sections. The first is the ‘Occident’ (West) characterised by a strong rhythmic march. The next section is the ‘Orient’ (East) characterised by Moorish rhythms over heavy percussive accents. The final section shows the return of the theme for the West with elements of the musical instruments of the East.

Saint-Saëns adapted the work for orchestra the same year, and it is this version you hear now.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

Nocturne in G major, Op. 37, No. 2 by Frédéric Chopin

Chopin completed two Nocturnes in 1839, which would be assigned as his Op. 37 No. 1 and No. 2 in 1840 when they were first published. Chopin composed both works while on holiday at the house of author Amantine Dupin (pen name George Sand) in Majorca. It was not a happy holiday, as the winter weather was unusually unpleasant for the location. Additionally, Chopin would fall severely ill with what is suspected to have been tuberculosis. The piano that Chopin had ordered to be delivered to him while on holiday was significantly delayed.

Piano Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 19 by William Sterndale Bennett

British composer William Sterndale Bennett completed this concerto for piano and orchestra at some point shortly before September of 1838. The premiere performance was given in January of 1839 at the Leipzig Gewandhaus with Bennett as the soloist and Mendelssohn as conductor.

Bennett made three extended visits to Germany, in particular to Leipzig, from 1836 to 1837. It is during one of these extended visits that Bennett made his soloist debut as soloist at a performing of his third piano concerto (also with the composer Mendelssohn conducting).

Upon Bennett’s return to London in 1837, he would officially take up a teaching post at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) which he would hold until 1858. It seems that Bennett composed his fourth piano concerto with the intent to perform in specifically in Germany. While the plan for this work to have a premiere in Germany did eventuate, it was not the first performance of the work.

In September of 1838, an unofficial performance of the work was given at the RAM. The second movement, then titled ‘A stroll through the Meadows’ was met with such poor reception that Bennett replaced the movement entirely with a Barcarole. The version you hear now is the amended version with a Barcarole as the second movement.

This concerto is comprised of three movements:
I. Allegro con maesta 00:00
II. Barcarole. Andante cantabile e con moto 12:30
III. Presto. Agitato 21:04

3 Old Viennese Dances, No. 2 Liebesleid (Heartache) by Fritz Kreisler

The Austrian-American composer Fritz Kreisler completed a collection of three short pieces for violin and piano at some point shortly before 1905. The exact date of composition is uncertain however the first publication of the collection was done in 1905 and misattributed to the Austrian composer Joseph Lanner.

While Kreisler had made his American debut in 1888, he would return to Austria in 1889 with the intent to join the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. This was unsuccessful, and Kreisler returned to the study of medicine, as well as a brief enrolment in the army of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

He would return to music in 1899 when he joined the Berlin Philharmonic. As part of this group, Kreisler performed in various American tours between 1901 and 1903.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

Violin Sonata No. 2 in D minor, Op. 121 by Robert Schumann

Schumann completed this sonata in 1851, with the premiere performance taking place in October of 1853 with Clara Schumann as the pianist and Joseph Joachim as the violinist. While sadly Robert Schumann would pass away only three years after the premiere of this sonata, Joachim would continue to perform with Clara Schumann until the 1870’s.

The work is dedicated to Ferdinand Victor David, a fellow composer and friend to Schumann. Ferdinand had been the violinist at the premiere of Schumann’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in 1852.

This sonata is comprised of four movements:
I. Zeimlich langsam – lebhaft 00:00
II. Sehr lebhaft 13:11
III. Leise, einfach 17:43
IV. Bewegt 24:03

7 Character Pieces, Op. 7, No. 1 in E minor, MWV U 56 by Felix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn would compose all seven of the pieces in this suite between 1824 and 1827. The entire collection was published together in 1827 under the title ‘Sieben Charakterstücke’ (Seven Character pieces). This collection appears to be Mendelssohn demonstrating his mastery of the old musical styles (fugues and sarabandes) as well as the modern sonata. Pieces 1 and 6 are in the older format, pieces 2, 4 and 7 are more modern, and number 5 is an unusual augmented and mirrored fugue that bridges the 'gap' between musical styles.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

Sonata No. 6 in D major, Op. 1, RV. 62 by Antonio Vivaldi

Vivaldi would have his first book of compositions published in 1703 under the title ‘Twelve Trio Sonatas’. The book contains 12 sonatas for violin and basso continuo. The book was published the same year Vivaldi became an ordained priest at a church in Venice. It would seem that Vivaldi was more focused on composition that on performing Mass, as in 1704 he was given dispensation to withdraw from most liturgical duties to focus on music.

This sonata is comprised of four movements:
I. Prelude 00:00
II. Corrente, allegro 01:35
III. Adagio 03:53
IV. Allemande, allegro 05:59

Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart completed this concerto for violin and orchestra in 1775 at the age of 19. Mozart was still living in Salzburg at the time, in the unhappy employ of Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo. The work was originally composed for Mozart to perform as part of his duties to the Salzburg Court Orchestra.

Upon leaving the Salzburg court orchestra in 1776, Mozart amended the concerto for his successor, Antonio Brunetti. There is debate as to whether the update made the concerto more difficult or not, as well as whether the intention was to increase the difficulty or merely artistic license.

This concerto is comprised of three movements:
I. Allegro 00:00
II. Andante cantabile 09:02
III. Rondeau: Andante grazioso 15:55

Pohjola’s Daughter by Jean Sibelius

Sibelius completed this tone poem for orchestra in 1906, with the premiere performance being given in December the same year at the St Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre. Sibelius himself would conduct at this performance.

The narrative for this composition is based on the 8th ‘Runo’ (rune song) from the Finnish national epic poem ‘Kalevala’. There are 50 Runo’s in the Kalevala in total. The 8th Runo is called ‘The Wound’ or alternatively ‘Väinämöinen and the Maiden of North Farm’. Väinämöinen is the central character of the Kalevala, and is described as a wise old man, demigod, and the greatest of bards.

While travelling through the mortal realms on his sled, Väinämöinen spots the beautiful ‘Daughter of the North’ (Pohjola being the Finnish word for North). Väinämöinen requests the woman to join him in his travel, but she says she will only agree to join a man who can complete a series of impossible tasks. Through wisdom, cunning and some magic, Väinämöinen is able to complete almost all the tasks but is eventually thwarted by evil spirits, and leaves the woman to continue his travels.

Sibelius had originally intended to give this tone poem the distinctly Finnish title of ‘Väinämöinen’, however Sibelius’ publisher Robert Lineau suggested the German title ‘Tochter des Nordens (Daughter of the North)’. While this was a shrewd suggestion, as Sibelius was intending to submit this work for publication with a German publisher. The composer would counter with two further possible titles, the French ‘L'aventure d'un héros’, and another Finnish title ‘Luonnotar.

The final decision was for the German title, and as such English publications take the direct translation of ‘Pohjola’s Daughter’.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

The Well-Tempered Clavier Book II: Prelude and Fugue in E major, BWV. 878 by Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach wrote two books of preludes and fugues, each containing a prelude and fugue in all 24 keys. The first book was likely completed in 1722, and the second book completed in approximately 1742. The purpose of this collection was, according to Bach, “for profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning, and especially for the pastime of those already skilled in this study”.

I. Prelude 00:00
II. Fugue 06:08

Études-Tableaux (Study Pictures), Op. 39, No. 5 by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff would complete the entire collection of his second ‘Study Pictures’ in 1916. An earlier collection also titled ‘Study Pictures’ was completed in 1911. As the name suggests, this collection is to serve as both a technical work (the study) but also as a collection for a pianist to perform (pictures).

The collection is partly influenced by the works of Alexander Scriabin, a fellow composer and friend of Rachmaninoff. Scriabin had died in April of 1915 due to a rare complication from an infected pimple on his upper lip. Rachmaninoff was practicing the works of Scriabin to perform at a memorial for the composer to be given in 1916.

Four Centuries Suite by Eric Coates

Coates began work on this suite at some point in 1942, but would not complete it until 1943. Coates was living in his Baker Street flat with his wife Phyllis when he began work on ‘Four Centuries’, and the devastation of the Blitz would influence this work and many others by the composer even after the conclusion of the war.

Coates wanted to write a piece that would, in orchestral form, depict popular dances across the previous four centuries. Additionally, he wanted to compose a work that would comfortably fit on a gramophone (in terms of length) and would also be scored for the more popular orchestral/jazz ensemble.

This suite is comprised of four movements:
I. The Seventeenth Century – Prelude and Hornpipe 00:00
II. The Eighteenth Century – Pavane and Tambourin 06:37
III. The Nineteenth Century – Valse 13:06
IV. The Twentieth Century – Rhythm 18:14

Caprice in E flat major, Op. 1, No. 17: Sostenuto/Andante by Niccolò Paganini

Between the years of 1802 and 1817, Paganini would complete his collection of 24 ‘Caprices for Solo Violin’. Unlike previous collections for solo instrument such as J.S Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier, this collection is not intended to provide a composition in all 24 keys but rather to allow the performer to display a multitude of skills and techniques for the violin. The popularity of these ‘Caprices” have resulted in their adaption to multiple ensembles, and they remain a regular performance piece for soloists, chamber groups and orchestras.

Cello sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102, No. 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven composer the Cello sonata No. 4 in C major and the No. 5 in D major between May and December of 1815. The period between 1812 and 1817 marks the transition from the ‘second’ period to the ‘third’ and final period of the works of Beethoven. The composer was entirely deaf in the right ear, however limited hearing was still possible through the left.

Beethoven submitted both sonatas to his copyist Wenzel Rampl in December of 1815, however he continued to make alterations to the work until the final version was published in 1817.

Both sonatas are dedicated to Countess Marie von Erdődy, a friend, patron, and fervent supporter of Beethoven.

This work is comprised of three movements:
I. Allegro con brio 00:00
II. Adagio con molto sentimento d’affetto 06:28
III. Allegro fugato 15:02

Keyboard sonata in D minor, K. 1, L. 366 by Domenico Scarlatti

The Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti would compose over 550 keyboard sonatas in his lifetime, and it is difficult to confirm the exact date of composition, however it is likely at some point between beginning his position as composer and organist at the Chapel Royal of Naples in 1701, and then entering into the service of the exiled Polish Queen Marie Casimir in 1709.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

3 Morceaux (3 Pieces) for piano Op. 9: No. 2. Polka de salon by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky completed this collection of three works for piano in 1870. Tchaikovsky was living in Moscow at the time, but would travel around Europe in the company of his brother Modest. The first public performance of this Op. 9 collection was given in March of 1871 at the Nobles Club in Moscow with Nikolai Rubenstein as the soloist. Only the Rêverie (No. 1) and Mazurka de Salon (No. 3) would be performed at this event. The Polka de Salon (No. 2) would not have a public performance until 1887.

Tchaikovsky would dedicate each of the three pieces of this collection to a different pianist, with the Polka de salon (No. 2) being dedicated to Aleksandra Zograf-Dulova, a former student of Tchaikovsky.

Lyric Pieces, Book VIII: Ballad, Op. 65, No. 5 by Edvard Grieg

Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg wrote a 10-volume book of short pieces for piano between the years 1867 and 1901. There is no linking theme between these volumes, with some collections focusing on folk music and some on an actual folk story.

Symphony No. 28 in A major, Hoboken I/28 by Joseph Haydn

Haydn completed this symphony in 1765 at the age of 33. This symphony is one of several composed by Haydn during his employment with the Esterházy family as their Kapellmeister. These symphonic works were composed to be performed for the family at their palace in Eisenstadt in what is now eastern Austria.

This work is comprised of four movements:
I. Allegro di molto 00:00
II. Poco adagio 05:07
III. Menuetto e Trio 16:40
IV. Presto 19:24