Christmas Concert Works for Band

Inspired by one of his students and his later wife, Ottorino Respighi composed in 1922 'Vetrate di Chiesa' (The Church Windows). This four movement Symphonic Suite is based on Gregorian melodies. It's...

'Cavalleria Rusticana' is a tempestuous drama of adultery and revenge set in a remote Italian village. Its earthy passions, bold confrontational scenes and richly melodic score set a fashion for so-ca...

'Cavalleria Rusticana' is a tempestuous drama of adultery and revenge set in a remote Italian village. Its earthy passions, bold confrontational scenes and richly melodic score set a fashion for so-ca...

Spanish composer Manuel de Falla composed in 1914 'Siete canciones populares españolas' (Seven Spanish Folksongs). It's a cycle of traditional Spanish songs arranged for soprano and piano by the compo...

Spanish composer Manuel de Falla composed in 1914 'Siete canciones populares españolas' (Seven Spanish Folksongs). It's a cycle of traditional Spanish songs arranged for soprano and piano by the compo...

Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) was one of great composers of the belcanto-era that dominated the Italian opera scene in the first half of the 19th century. He composed 10 opera's of which 'Norma' has be...

Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) was one of great composers of the belcanto-era that dominated the Italian opera scene in the first half of the 19th century. He composed 10 opera's of which 'Norma' has be...

'Le Nozze di Figaro' is one of the three 'da Ponte' opera's which Mozart composed on libretto's of Lorenzo da Ponte (1749-1838) the famous Viennese theaterdirector and courtpoet. The aria 'Non so più...

'Le Nozze di Figaro' is one of the three 'da Ponte' opera's which Mozart composed on libretto's of Lorenzo da Ponte (1749-1838) the famous Viennese theaterdirector and courtpoet. The aria 'Non so più...

Ruggiero Leoncavallo was an Italian opera composer and librettist. Although he would produce numerous operas and other songs throughout his career it is his two-act work Pagliacci (1892) and the song...

Ruggiero Leoncavallo was an Italian opera composer and librettist. Although he would produce numerous operas and other songs throughout his career it is his two-act work Pagliacci (1892) and the song...

In 1860 the curtain of the Carl-Theater in Vienna rose on the first production of Offenbach's parody of Greek mythology, 'Orphée aux enfers' ('Orpheus in the Underworld'). Sitting among the audience i...

In 1860 the curtain of the Carl-Theater in Vienna rose on the first production of Offenbach's parody of Greek mythology, 'Orphée aux enfers' ('Orpheus in the Underworld'). Sitting among the audience i...

Beethoven's only opera 'Fidelio' embodies his ideals of heroism and freedom from political oppression. The opera was first produced in Vienna in 1805, under the title of 'Leonora' with the overture no...

Beethoven's only opera 'Fidelio' embodies his ideals of heroism and freedom from political oppression. The opera was first produced in Vienna in 1805, under the title of 'Leonora' with the overture no...

Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) composed the 'Pictures at an Exhibition' in 1874 as a suite of ten piano pieces. The suite is generally acknowledged to be Mussorgsky's greatest solo piano composition, a...

Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) composed the 'Pictures at an Exhibition' in 1874 as a suite of ten piano pieces. The suite is generally acknowledged to be Mussorgsky's greatest solo piano composition, a...

As many composers in those days Johann Strauss also wrote a piece celebrating technological innovation. 'Vergnügungszug' (Pleasure Train) was written for the Association of Industrial Societies Ball a...

As many composers in those days Johann Strauss also wrote a piece celebrating technological innovation. 'Vergnügungszug' (Pleasure Train) was written for the Association of Industrial Societies Ball a...

'Die Moldau' (Vltava) is the second movement of the the symphonic poem cycle 'Ma Vlast' by Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. In this piece, Smetana uses tone painting to evoke the sounds of one of Bohem...

'Strike Up the Band' is a 1927 musical by George Gershwin. The story satirizes America's taste for war: America declares war on Switzerland over a trivial trade issue. Gershwin's first fully integrate...

'Strike Up the Band' is a 1927 musical by George Gershwin. The story satirizes America's taste for war: America declares war on Switzerland over a trivial trade issue. Gershwin's first fully integrate...

Josef Strauss (1827-1870) was an Austrian composer, son of Johann Strauss ('Vater') and brother of Johann jr. and Eduard. Josef joined the 'Strauss' family orchestra, along with his brothers Johann an...

Josef Strauss (1827-1870) was an Austrian composer, son of Johann Strauss ('Vater') and brother of Johann jr. and Eduard. Josef joined the 'Strauss' family orchestra, along with his brothers Johann an...

The Preludes are short piano pieces by George Gershwin writtenin 1926. Each prelude is a well-known example of early-20th-century American classical music strongly influenced by jazz. Gershwin origina...