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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

March in C major, Z. 648 by Henry Purcell

Purcell completed this short march for keyboard in 1687, along with another march for keyboard, the March in C major Z. 647. Purcell was living in Westminster at the time, earning a living as the organist to Westminster Abbey. Despite also being awarded the position of organist to the Chapel Royal (the organist to the church of the King) in 1682, Purcell would renew his efforts in 1687 towards the composition of music for theatrical productions. His two official posts as organist and his attention to theatrical productions likely contributed to the reduction in conventional instrumental work in the late 1680’s.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

Prelude No. 13 in F sharp major, Op. 28 ‘Loss’ by Frédéric Chopin

Chopin completed a collection of 24 preludes 1839 which were given the Opus number 28. The 24 preludes cover the complete collection of all major and minor keys. Chopin began work on this collection in 1835. It is thought that the work was inspired by the “Well Tempered Clavier” by J.S Bach as Chopin had a copy of this collection with him while composing most of these preludes in Mallorca.

Each work was given an epithet by the publisher with the consultation of Chopin.

Greeting (violin and piano), H. 54 by Gustav Holst

Holst completed this short work for violin and piano in 1903. It is one of the first compositions the composer completed after returning from a holiday in Germany with his wife Isobel the same year. It was during this trip to Germany, which could be considered a belated honeymoon after his marriage in 1901, that Holst decided he would retire from performing in an orchestra and instead focus on composition.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

Country Gardens, BFMS. 22 (a) by Percy Grainger

The Australian composer Percy Grainger composed this adaptation of the English folk tune ‘Country Gardens’ for piano in 1918. The tune was originally associated with Morris dancing. It is unclear when the tune first originated, however its first use in recorded media was in 1728. The English dramatist Thomas Walker used the tune in his opera “The Quaker’s Opera” (itself a parody of the opera “The Beggar’s Opera” by John Gay).

Grainger would adapt the tune five more times for various other ensembles, including an adaptation for orchestra.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

Cello Sonata in E flat major, G. 10 by Luigi Boccherini

Boccherini likely completed this sonata for Cello and basso continuo at some point in 1768. This would be another of the many works Boccherini completed after moving to Madrid and entering the service of the Infante Luis Antonio of Spain.

This sonata is comprised of three movements:
I. Allegro 00:00
II. Adagio 03:18
III. Affettuoso 06:33

Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5 by Johannes Brahms

Brahms completed this, his final piano sonata, in 1853 at the age of 20. The prevailing sentiment at the time was that the conventional piano sonata was too restrictive and archaic. Brahms intended to dispel this perception of the piano sonata and revive the format. The sonata is unusually long compared to other sonatas, and contains five movements instead of the more common three or four.

It also makes several references to Beethoven’s fifth symphony in the first, third and fourth movement, as well as references to Mendelssohn’s piano trio No. 2 in the third movement.

Brahms dedicated the work to Countess Ida von Hohenthal. The countess was a wealthy aristocrat in Leipzig who employed Fritz Brahms (the younger brother of Johannes Brahms) as a music teacher for her children.

This sonata is comprised of five movements:
I. Allegro maestoso 00:00
II. Andante. Andante espressivo — Andante molto 09:58
III. Scherzo. Allegro energico avec trio 22:26
IV. Intermezzo (‘Rückblick’, Remembrance) 27:00
V. Finale. Allegro moderato ma rubato 30:53

A Summer’s Tale, Op. 29 by Josef Suk

The Czech composer Josef Suk completed the majority of this work during the summer of 1907. Suk was balancing the demands of being a composer, performer, and teacher at this time resulting in the more involved compositions such as his symphonic poems needing to be completed during holiday periods. While this work is ostensibly based on his summer holiday of 1907, it is also considered to be yet another composition done ‘in memorial’ for the death of his wife, Otille, and his mentor, Dvořák, both in 1904.

Suk made minor edits to the work over a two year period, with the completed composition having a premiere performance in January of 1909 in Prague.

This work is comprised of five movements:
I. Voices of Life and Consolation 00:00
II. Midday 15:07
III. Blind Musicians 22:03
IV. In the Power of Phantoms 27:42
V. Night 38:43

Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, K. 279/189d by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart began work on this sonata in 1774 at the age of 18. Most of the sonata was completed while Mozart was visiting Munich from the end of 1774 until March of 1775. The reason for Mozart’s visit to Munich was to oversee preparations for a performance of ‘La finta giardiniera’ (The Pretend Garden-Girl), his ninth opera (fifth Italian opera).

Despite living in Salzburg at the time Mozart was unhappy with his job as court musician to the ruler of Salzburg, Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo. The court in Salzburg provided few opportunities to perform opera, even less so in 1775 when Colloredo closed the Salzburg court theatre. Mozart was forced to look elsewhere not only for venues to perform his opera, but also commissions to compose the operas themselves.

This sonata is comprised of three movements:
I. Allegro 00:00
II. Andante 04:54
III. Allegro 10:06

Má vlast ‘My Fatherland’: Vysehrad (The High Castle) by Bedřich Smetana

Smetana composed his six symphonic poems between 1874 and 1879. The poems are patriotic works which detail the landmarks and history of the land of Bohemia. The first symphonic poem ‘Vysehrad’ is meant to provide a musical illustration of Vysehrad castle overlooking the city of Prague.

The work is comprised of a single movement.

String Quartet No. 6 in A minor, B. 40, Op. 12 by Antonín Dvořák

Dvořák completed the initial draft of this quartet in December of 1873. This first version was in a single continuous movement of approximately 30 minutes in length. This version of the quartet was not published. Dvořák began revising the work the following year, separating the quartet into four movements, and removing one section entirely which would later be repurposed into his ‘Andante Appassionato B. 40a’.

Dvořák never completed the revision. The Czech composer Jarmil Burghauser reconstructed the incomplete draft of the revised Quartet No. 6 in 1977, however the first public performance was not given until 1990.

This quartet is comprised of four movements:
I. Allegro ma non troppo 00:00
II. Poco allegro – Trio 09:36
III. Poco adagio 15:35
IV. Finale. Allegro molto 24:06

Six Promenades for wind Quintet, Op. 6.1, No. 4 ‘Somniferous’ by Sir Edward Elgar

In 1878, Elgar would complete a collection of 6 works for a wind ensemble comprised of two flutes, clarinet, oboe, and bassoon. Each individual composition within the collection is short, indicating the work was designed to be performed in its entirety.

Organ Concerto in G minor, Op. 7, No. 5, HWV. 310 by George Frideric Handel

Between 1740 and 1750, Handel completed a collection of six concertos for organ and orchestra, most of which had their premiere performance in London. Much like the concerti grossi Op. 6, these organ concertos were designed to be performed between other musical works, in this case Handel’s oratorios.

This work is comprised of four movements:
I. Allegro ma non troppo e staccato 00:00
II. Andante larghetto e staccato 03:46
III. Menuet 08:18
IV. Gavotte 10:42

Polonaise in B flat major for violin and orchestra, D. 580 by Franz Schubert

Schubert completed this short work for orchestra in 1817 at the age of 20. Schubert was living in Vienna at the time at the house of his friend Franz von Schober. The Schober family was a wealthy one, and was comfortably able to provide lodging to Schubert while the young composer was trying to establish himself as a master musician in Europe. Schubert did not have a stable income at the time as he had resigned as a teacher at the school of his father the previous year, and his attempt at being a music teacher provided only a moderate income.

With the support of the Schober family, Schubert was able to focus on composing in 1817, with the composer being quoted as saying “I compose every morning, and when one piece is done, I begin another”. This polonaise (a Polish dance of triple time) is an example of the many light works Schubert was able to complete with the support of the Schober family.

This work is comprised of a single movement.

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