Franz Krommer’s clarinet concerto in E flat, opus 36, is one of over 300 pieces he wrote during a prolific and illustrious career. A late eighteenth century Viennese contemporary of Mozart and Beethoven, Krommer was born in the Czech town of Kamenice in 1759, where he was taught by his uncle Anton, who was choirmaster … Read more
At the age of 17, Mozart was engaged as a court musician in Salzburg, but grew restless and travelled in search of a better position, always composing abundantly. Whilst visiting Vienna in 1781, he was dismissed from his Salzburg position, but chose to stay in Vienna where he achieved fame but little financial security. During … Read more
Haydn composed his cello concerto no. 2 in D major in 1783 for Antonín Kraft, a cellist of Prince Nikolaus’s Esterházy Orchestra. From 1761 to 1790 Haydn worked as Kapellmeister to the princely court of the Esterházys where he led a rather isolated life resulting in the composition of an enormous number of works. During … Read more
This concerto is a remarkable feat of musical composition, as Rodrigo was blind from the age of 3, a pianist, and did not even play the guitar! Pitting a solo guitar against the full force of an orchestra is also fairly unique instrumentation, and it is remarkable how the guitar is never totally overwhelmed. Joaquin … Read more
Elgar’s violin concerto is dedicated to the Austrian violinist Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962). It was written in 1909-10, between the first and second symphonies, and first performed in November 1910 with Kreisler as soloist and Elgar himself conducting. It was not Elgar’s first attempt at a violin concerto: he had started to compose one in 1890, … Read more
By 1777 Mozart had resigned his position with the Archbishop of Salzburg, and set out with his mother to seek his fortune elsewhere in Europe. Whilst in Mannheim, he was commissioned to write two concertos and some quartets for flute. This was the first time that Mozart had composed for the flute, and it would … Read more
I. Allegro In 1786, the year in which he completed his best-known Horn Concerto (K.495 in E-flat major), Mozart began work on another Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E major. Only a fragment of the first movement survives. An element of mystery surrounds the 91-bar incomplete manuscript which Mozart left. Why was the work … Read more
This concerto, written 10 years ago, was composed especially for tonight’s soloists, Andrew Sutton (soprano sax) and Andrew Franks (alto sax). It was first performed in June 1994. The composer acknowledges this work as belonging to his “light romantic period”. He has since moved on to writing scores for TV and film, along with a … Read more
The Finnish Violinist Sibelius was 38 years old when he completed this, his only example of the Concerto form, in the Summer of 1903. It was written for and dedicated to Willy Burmester, leader of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the most highly regarded soloists of his day. At the time Sibelius’ finances … Read more
