Sep 05 Blog Pantomime and Dance Composer Richard Arnell was born in London in 1917 during a Zeppelin raid during the Great War. His career spanned two continents including the United States. He wrote many works especially for the prolific conductor Sir Thomas Beecham. Punch and the Child is based on the classic hand-puppet show Punch and Judy. The humour is […] By Alan Brandt Sep 05 Blog Pantomime and Dance By Alan Brandt
Jul 11 Blog The lighter side of English music Light music is a generic term for a British musical style of “light” orchestral music, which originated in the 19th century. It reached its peak in the mid 20th century but continues until the present day. The style is a less serious form of Western classical music, usually comprised of shorter orchestral pieces and suites […] By Alan Brandt Jul 11 Blog The lighter side of English music By Alan Brandt
Jul 03 Blog arnold bax Composer Arnold Bax wrote his Violin Concerto in 1937-38 for Jascha Heifetz. Heifetz, reportedly, was disappointed in the work. Bax himself didn’t acknowledge the opus until he was asked to provide a new work in 1943 for violinist Eda Kersey. The work was reintroduced by the soloist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir […] By Alan Brandt Jul 03 Blog arnold bax By Alan Brandt
Jun 27 Blog Delius’ America Two major European composers became smitten with American “Negro folk” melodies. Both spent time in America and both absorbed these folk tunes into their own compositions. One was Antonin Dvorak and the other was Englishman Frederick Delius. Delius’ father was a hard-working German immigrant in Yorkshire, England. He expected his sons to follow in his […] By Alan Brandt Jun 27 Blog Delius’ America By Alan Brandt
May 23 Blog Granville Bantock “Your music has struck a fibre in my being, which is beyond analysis, but which I feel is the truest and noblest chord that has yet been souned in our art.” -Letter from Granville Bantock to Frederick Delius Granville Bantock was an influential musical force in Great Britain, both in and behind the music scene. […] By Alan Brandt May 23 Blog Granville Bantock By Alan Brandt
Apr 24 Blog Delius and Friends The music of Frederick Delius is unique. Born in Yorkshire, England, Delius was a citizen of the world. His music showed influences from his travels to America, Norway and France. But his approach to composition was all his own. While there was never a “Delius School” of composers to emerge from his output, he did […] By Alan Brandt Apr 24 Blog Delius and Friends By Alan Brandt