Light concert music from Bernaerts, Chandos, DeHaske, Faber, Gramercy, Howard Snell, Kirklees, Lake Music, Novello, Obrasso, R Smith, Salvation Army, Studio Music, Windwood Music, Wright & Round and many, many more.
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: W.A. Mozart Arranger: Philip Littlemore
The opera The Marriage of Figaro was the first of three successful collaborations with the the librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte – the other two being Don Giovanni and Cosi Fan Tutte. Da Ponte’s libretto for The Marriage of Figaro is based on the play of the same name by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. The play was considered scandalous at the time due to its political commentary on the excesses of the aristocracy and also its overly sexual nature. Da Ponte removed much of the political commentary, moderated the most risqué parts and increased the pace of the action for Mozart’s opera. Premiered in 1786 at the Burg-Theatre in Vienna, with Mozart conducting. The overture, while containing none of the opera’s melodic themes, sets the tone and pace of the action to follow.
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Gustav Holst Arranger: Phillip Littlemore
Holst's suite The Planets was written between 1914 and 1916 and with the exception of Mercury, which was written last, Holst wrote the music in the sequence we hear them. So, in 1914, came the insistent rhythmic tread of Mars, The Bringer of War. It is widely known that the sketches were completed prior to the outbreak of the First World War, so the music is less a reaction to the declaration of war itself, but more an impending sense of inevitability of a war to unfold. An ideal concert opener, especially in this current year as it is not only the 100th anniversary of the piece itself, but of The Great War.
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Jacob De Haan
Duration 2.53
This swinging march by Jacob de Haan was commissioned by the foundation "Vrienden van de Groningse Politie-muziek" (Friends of the Police Music of Groningen), on occasion of the 950 year anniversary of the "Martini-city" Groningen. The trio in this piece features the anthem of the province of Groningen.
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Carl Neilson Arranger: Bill Willis
The opera, Masqurade, plot revolves around Leander and Leonora, two young persons who meet fortuitously at a masquerade ball, swear their undying love for each other and exchange rings. The following day, Leander tells a servant of his new found love. He soon becomes distraught when informed by the servant that his parents have betrothed him in marriage to a neighbour’s daughter. Things get complicated when Leonard, the neighbour whose daughter is the other part of the previously unknown arrangement, comes complaining to Leander’s father that his daughter is in love with someone she met at the masquerade last night. In the third act, all is resolved when the various parties slip off to the night’s masquerade, where all is revealed to everyone’s mutual satisfaction. The overture is a stunning work, very entertaining for audiences and players alike.
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