Stravinsky’s "Ode," is a short orchestral work composed in 1943 and subtitled “Elegiacal Chant in Three Parts.” This piece is dedicated to the memory of Natalie Koussevitzky and is structured in three movements—Eulogy, Eclogue,...

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 Honegger's Vivace, H.220 for Orchestra is an early work estimated to have been composed before 1919. It reflects the formative stage of Honegger’s career, where he began to explore rhythmic drive and a clear sense of formal structure that...

REPRINT SERIES Arthur Honegger’s Pacific 231 is a symphonic movement composed in 1923, inspired by the power and motion of a steam locomotive. Rather than merely imitating train sounds, Honegger structured the piece to evoke the sensation of...

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,...

Richard Strauss composed Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28, in 1894–95. This tone poem depicts the pranks and misadventures of Till Eulenspiegel, a trickster from German folklore. The work follows a rondo-like structure, with a recurring...

REPRINT SERIES Ralph Vaughan Williams' Prelude on an Old Carol Tune is a short yet evocative orchestral piece for chamber orchestra, composed in 1953. It is based on the traditional carol On Christmas Night the Joy-Bells Ring, a lesser-known variant of...

Death and Transfiguration (Tod und Verklärung), Op. 24, is a symphonic poem composed by Richard Strauss between 1888 and 1889 and premiered in 1890. It portrays the final moments of an artist on his deathbed, reflecting on his life’s struggles...

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,...

Maurice Ravel's La Valse, M.72, is a symphonic poem composed between 1919 and 1920, originally conceived as a ballet. The piece is a vivid and complex tribute to the Viennese waltz, though it evolves into a chaotic and almost nightmarish deconstruction...

REPRINT SERIES Sibelius' Tempest Suite No.1, Op. 109 No.2 is a richly atmospheric orchestral work drawn from his incidental music for Shakespeare’s The Tempest. This suite captures the mystical and dramatic elements of the play, with evocative...

REPRINT SERIES Benjamin Arthur’s Two Jamaican Pieces for orchestra, comprising Jamaican Song and Jamaican Rumba, is a lively and colorful representation of Jamaican musical traditions. These pieces capture the rhythmic energy and melodic charm of...

Jean Sibelius composed the incidental music for Shakespeare's "The Tempest," Op. 109, between 1925 and 1926, marking one of his final major works before his retreat from public composition. Commissioned for a production at Copenhagen's Royal Theatre, 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...

REPRINT SERIES Sibelius' Suite No. 2, Op. 109 No. 3, "The Tempest", is part of his incidental music for Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, composed in 1925–1926. This second suite, distinct from the first, features a selection of movements that...

Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte ("Pavane for a Dead Princess") was originally composed for solo piano in 1899 but was later orchestrated in 1910, giving the piece a richer, more atmospheric quality. In the orchestral version, Ravel...

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...

Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin Suite M.68a was originally composed as a piano suite between 1914 and 1917 and later transcribed for orchestra. The piece pays homage to the French Baroque composer François Couperin, blending Baroque dance forms...