Richard Strauss’s Don Juan, Op. 20 is a tone poem composed in 1888—when the composer was just 24—and first performed by Strauss himself in Weimar on 11 November 1889. Inspired by Nikolaus Lenau’s verse drama Don Juans Ende, the...

REPRINT SERIES Grażyna Bacewicz’s Variations for Orchestra, IGB 11, was composed in 1957 and premiered in 1958 at the Warsaw Autumn Festival, conducted by Jan Krenz. The work consists of a 19-bar theme followed by eight continuous variations,...

Heitor Villa-Lobos extracted Suite No. 4 “Descobrimento do Brasil” (W 380) in 1937 from his score for Humberto Mauro’s film of the same name, completing the cycle of four suites that portray Brazil’s early colonial history. he...

Composed in 1937 for Humberto Mauro’s film O Descobrimento do Brasil, Suite No. 3 (W 379) comprises three continuous movements—Impressão ibérica (11:15), Festa nas selvas (3:37), and Ulalocê (Visão dos navegantes)...

REPRINT SERIES  Bacewicz’s Musica sinfonica in tre movimenti (IGB 21) was composed in 1965, dedicated to conductor Witold Rowicki, and premiered on 6 September 1965 by the Warsaw Philharmonic under his baton at the Stockholm Festival. The...

Villa-Lobos’s Descobrimento do Brasil (Discovery of Brazil) Suite No. 2 contains three movements: Impressão moura (Moorish Impression) – a rhythmically complex piece with modal harmonies and layered textures that evoke a stylized...

Villa-Lobos’s Descobrimento do Brasil (Discovery of Brazil) Suite No. 1 for Orchestra is a programmatic work that musically portrays the discovery of Brazil. Composed with a clear narrative in mind, the suite employs a series of contrasting...

REPRINT SERIES  Respighi’s La Boutique Fantasque is a one-act ballet that captures a whimsical and bustling scene through vibrant orchestration and clear, narrative musical gestures. The work unfolds in a single, continuous movement, where...

Bacewicz’s In Una Parte for Symphony Orchestra IGB 20 is a concise, single-movement work that employs modernist techniques typical of her later style. It is structured around clear rhythmic patterns and focused thematic development, with little...

REPRINT SERIES  Enescu’s Concert Overture, Op. 32 is a single-movement orchestral work that exemplifies his early mature style. The piece unfolds with a clear sense of drama and structure, offering a compact yet expressive narrative that...

Korngold’s King's Row Suite for Orchestra is derived from his film score for the 1942 movie Kings Row. The suite extracts several key themes from the film, presenting them in a concert format that showcases Korngold’s talent for writing lush,...

REPRINT SERIES Bacewicz’s Symphony No. 4 (1953) is a structured and rhythmically driven work reflecting her clear orchestration and formal control. Composed during the socialist realism period in Poland, it maintains clarity and energy while...

REPRINT SERIES Grażyna Bacewicz’s Symphony No. 3 (1952) is a striking example of her neoclassical style, blending dynamic orchestration with structural clarity. Composed during a period of increasing Soviet influence in Polish music, the work...

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...

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...

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...

Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnole is a vibrant orchestral work composed in 1907–1908, showcasing his deep fascination with Spanish music and rhythms. Although Ravel was French, his Basque heritage greatly influenced his affinity for Spanish sounds, which...

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...