Arnold, Fantasy for Horn Continuing from last week’s theme of music for quarantine, we turn to a work for solo horn by Sir Malcolm Henry Arnold (1921-2006). Arnold composed the score for numerous films from 1947 to 1969. He won an Academy Award in 1957 … Read more
Byrd, Ne Irascaris Domine/Civitas Sancti Tui As I thought about using this selection by William Byrd (c. 1543-1623) as today’s performance pick, I recalled that Byrd had appeared here somewhat recently. So I looked back at the list and discovered, of course, it was during … Read more
Tallis, Spem in alium Thomas Tallis (c. 1505-1585) held positions early in his career as organist in Benedictine priories and at Canterbury Cathedral. With Henry VIII’s suppression of the monasteries in 1536-1541, Tallis found employment with the Chapel Royal. He served four monarchs and played … Read more
Gibbons, Galliard a6 We are several years into this series, and there are still some important composers that we have not gotten around to. Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625) is one of them. Gibbons grew up singing in the choir at King’s College, Cambridge, where his older … Read more
Walton, Viola Concert (3d Movement) William Walton (1902-1983) became a chorister at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford in 1912 and began his studies at Oxford University at the young age of 16. He immersed himself in the modern styles of Stravinsky, Debussy, and Sibelius. While … Read more
Britten, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra For those of you with children in the home, summer can be a challenge. Schedules change, activities increase, disruptions mount. And there is always the threat of some well-laid plan being rained out or, worst of all, … Read more
Vaughan Williams, The Lark Ascending In World War I, soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps were known as “Anzacs.” They first saw action in the Gallipoli landing on April 25, 1915, and their actions have been commemorated each year on what is … Read more
Byrd, Miserere mei, Deus We begin the Lenten Season on a more reflective note, especially compared to last week’s Shrovetide Fair and Petrushka. William Byrd (c. 1543-1623) made his mark on the early Elizabethan Era. He grew up in the reign of the Mary Tudor … Read more
Britten, Four Sea Interludes (from Peter Grimes) I’m sitting in my son’s new apartment on the beach, a stone’s throw from Chesapeake Bay. No really, I could throw a rock from here that would land in the water. There is nothing between the window and … Read more
Delius, In a Summer Garden Frederick Delius (1862-1934) absorbed musical influences across Europe and America before turning seriously to composing. Born in Yorkshire to German parents, his early career in his father’s business took him to posts in Germany, Sweden, France, and Florida. Delius had … Read more