Bruno Maderna’s Concerto per 2 pianoforti e strumenti is a mid-twentieth-century work composed for two pianos alongside a chamber ensemble of various instruments. The piece reflects Maderna’s interest in exploring new textures and forms,...

Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107, composed in 1959 for Mstislav Rostropovich, is one of the most significant cello concertos of the 20th century. The work is structured in four movements, played without pause, and...

The fanfare, composed during the height of World War II, was designed to evoke a sense of optimism and celebration, characteristics that resonated strongly with audiences of the time. Its lively character and brilliant instrumentation reflect Bliss's...

Dmitri Shostakovich composed his Symphony No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 70 in 1945, following the Soviet victory in World War II. Unlike the grand, triumphant symphony many expected, it is a light, neoclassical work with a modest orchestration. The...

Arthur Bliss’s “3 Jubilant and 3 Solemn Fanfares” for full military band is a work that bridges celebratory and reflective moods, making it particularly suited to ceremonial occasions. Composed during the mid-20th century, the...

Shostakovich’s Festive Overture in A Major, Op. 96 was composed in 1954 to celebrate the 37th anniversary of the October Revolution. Written in a remarkably short time, the piece opens with a bold brass fanfare before launching into a fast-paced,...

Darius Milhaud's Cinéma-Fantaisie sur "Le Bœuf sur le toit", Op. 58b, is a vibrant and playful work for violin and orchestra, adapted from his earlier ballet Le Bœuf sur le toit , available here. This version maintains the...

George Gershwin’s An American in Paris is a symphonic poem that vividly captures the energy and charm of Paris through the perspective of an American traveler. Premiered in 1928, the piece blends jazz elements with classical orchestration,...

Arthur Bliss's Piano Concerto in B-flat major was composed in 1938–1939 and premiered at the 1939 New York World’s Fair by pianist Solomon with the New York Philharmonic under Sir Adrian Boult. Commissioned by the British Council, the...

Bruno Maderna's "Composizione in tre tempi," composed in 1954, exemplifies his innovative approach to orchestral composition in the mid-20th century. Structured in three movements—"Allegro scorrevole," "Adagio," and "Allegro"—the piece...

Arthur Bliss’s Rhapsody for Soprano, Tenor, and Chamber Orchestra (F.161) was composed in 1919, early in his career when he was still exploring his unique voice. The work is a beautiful example of Bliss's ability to blend lyrical melodies with...

Five Fragments, Op. 42 is a suite for small orchestra composed on June 9, 1935, by Dmitri Shostakovich. It was the only work, apart from film music, that he composed that year. He approached it as preparatory work for the composition of the final version...

Roberto Gerhard's Symphony No. 3, composed in 1960, is a striking example of his transition from late romanticism to more modernist, experimental approaches. The symphony was written during a period of personal and professional transformation for...

Bruno Maderna's Introduzione e Passacaglia is a striking orchestral work that showcases his deep engagement with serial techniques and expressive freedom. Composed in 1953, the piece reflects Maderna’s affinity for both rigorous structural...

Arthur Bliss's Miracle in the Gorbals is a one-act ballet that premiered in London on October 26, 1944. Set in the slums of Glasgow, the ballet tells a dramatic and symbolic story of redemption and sacrifice. The scenario was written by Michael Benthall,...

Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Three Portraits from The England of Elizabeth is a suite derived from his music for the 1955 documentary film The England of Elizabeth. This orchestral work, structured in three movements, captures the spirit and historical...

Stravinsky's "The Firebird" Suite (1919 version) stands as one of the most celebrated works in 20th-century classical music. This version is an orchestral suite derived from Stravinsky's original 1910 ballet score for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes...

Arthur Bliss's "Prologue and Five Dances" is a concert suite derived from his 1937 ballet Checkmate. The ballet itself is a dramatic allegory about a chess game where humanized chess pieces enact a tale of power, conflict, and tragic love. Bliss's music...