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Also Sprach Zarathustra (1896) Op. 30: 1. Sunrise
Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Background:
The most popular of Richard’s seven tone poems is Thus Spake Zarathustra (Prophet of Spirit,
Light and Good) completed in 1896 for large orchestra and organ. The music, premiered in
Frankfurt during 1896, was inspired by Friederich Nietzche’s radical poem about the progress of
human evolution towards a super race. The dramatic score inspired other artists including
Stanley Kubrick who used the music for his film 2001-Space Odyssey (1969). The most
performed section is the opening, Sunrise, which also represents Buzz Lightyear in the Toy
Strauss
Story 2 video game.
The Music:
• The lower orchestral instruments and organ produce a chilling but spiritual throb as the night sky
slowly gives way to the beginning of a new day
• Trumpets add a rising three-note pattern as the sun appears on the horizon
• A brief brass fanfare and crashing cymbals lead to a dramatic timpani solo
• These simple musical ideas are repeated before powerful orchestral pyrotechnics reveal the
Zarathustra
blazing sun as it dominates the sky
• An energetic triangle rings with a lingering organ before the spiritual throb fades
Suite No. 2 in B Minor BWV 1067: VII Badinerie Soloist: Robin Saunders
J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Background:
Johan Sebastian composed four orchestral suites between 1717-1723 while employed by
Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen. Suite No 2, composed in a concerto style for solo flute and
strings, has seven movements mostly based on popular French dances such as the bourrée
and minuet. The work is one of the earliest composed for a solo one-keyed baroque flute with its
simple wooden structure and growing popularity. The Badinerie, a lively French dance, reveals
J S Bach
the virtuoso standard achieved by the flautists of the day
The Music:
• The flute leaps in with a light descending melody (A1) supported by strings
• The flute dashes away with a playful reply (A2) chased by the strings
• (A1) is repeated but answered by a lively extended reply (A3) as the strings attempt to interact
with the flute before the whole section is repeated.
• The flute dominates the next section as the melody is developed via a variety of musical colours
and florid decorations
Baroque Flute
• The strings remain in pursuit until this delightful movement ends with a flourish
Zadok the Priest (1727)
G. F. Händel (1685-1759)
Background:
In 1710 George Frideric arrived in England from Germany, was quickly adopted as an English
composer and granted British Citizenship by 1727. Zadok The Priest was one of three anthems
composed for the coronation of George II and Queen Caroline following the death of George I.
The text, based on 1 Kings, Ch. 1 v 38-40, describes how Zadok anointed King Solomon after
David’s death. Zadok remains the most popular anthem and has since been sung at all English
coronations including that of the present Queen in 1953. It was written at 25 Brook Street
London, George’s home from 1723, which is now a museum dedicated to his music.
Händel
The Music:
• Pulsating lower strings and woodwind support the gliding sequential violins in a long
processional introduction
• The choir enters with a slow stately “Zadok the Priest” as the trumpets fanfare to the
heavy beat of the timpani
• The choir break into a lively tempo with, “and all the people rejoiced” which is
decorated by dance-like violins, oboes and trumpets
• The choir and orchestra combine for the majestic fanfare, "God save the King”
• A florid interaction between chorus and orchestra follows for “May the King live
Brook Street
forever - Alleluia Amen” before fanfares bring this exciting anthem to a close
© Active Music Services 2006
Blue Danube Waltz (1867)
Strauss II
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Vienna Ball
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Johann Strauss II (1825-1899)
Background
Johann was born into a musical family in Vienna - the music capital of the world and the city of
the waltz. His father Johann Strauss I was a famous waltz composer but Johann Junior became
the “Waltz King”. The waltz originated in Germany during the eighteenth century and by the end
of the nineteenth it was a pop craze across Europe making Johann the first pop star millionaire.
Since 1867 the graceful Blue Danube Waltz has been played and danced to in ballrooms and
taverns along the banks of the Danube and remains the most popular waltz across the world.
The Music:
Shimmering strings, solo horn, punctuating flutes and chirpy bird calls set the scene for a long
trip along the River Danube.
Horns and strings flow into first melody (A) answered by delicate violins (B)
Military woodwind (C) are answered by swirling violins (D) before (C) returns.
The orchestra swoops in with (E) and a fanfare leads to elegant strings (F)
Majestic orchestra (G), swaying strings and flute (H) and (G) returns with percussion.
Woodwind and strings tiptoe back to (F) before (A) returns and the orchestra gathers
momentum as they reach the end of their journey.
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Horn Concerto No 4 K 495: 3 Movement
Soloist: Dr Cox
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791)
Background:
A prolific composer from an early age Wolfgang was capable of writing inspirational music for
any instrument or ensemble and for any occasion. Having produced his first symphony at eight
and his first opera at twelve four horn concertos at thirty would not have stretched his musical
ability. The fourth horn concerto was composed in 1786 for another virtuoso Salzburg musician
and the composer’s best friend Joseph Ignaz Leutgeb. The popular third movement (The Hunt)
is technically demanding to play on a modern horn with valves. How Joseph produced the notes
Mozart
with a valve-less horn remains one of Wolfgang’s mischievous legacies.
The Music:
• The rondo begins with the horns hunting melody which is repeated by the orchestra
• The horn replies with a virtuoso contrasting section as strings gallop and decorate
• The main hunting melody returns
• A bolder section reveals a variety of horn colours and a dialogue with the orchestra
• The main melody returns again
• The first contrasting section returns and is developed
Early Horn
• Main melody and a further dialogue brings the movement to a triumphant close
Nabucco (1842): Va Pensiero (Speed your Journey)
Guiseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Background:
Although Guiseppe was born into a poor Italian family he had music lessons from an early age.
A church organist from eleven, writing works for local brass bands in his teens and the love of
opera were the main ingredients for this composer eventually producing over twenty five great
stage works. Nabucco was based on the story of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, who
marched to Jerusalem, enslaved the Hebrews and sent them into exile. The stirring chorus has
all the emotion of Italian opera and was written when that nation was in conflict with Austria.
Verdi
The Music:
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A dramatic introduction ends with a hovering flute solo
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The choir is unified by the famous swaying melody for “Speed your journey, my
thoughts and my longings, speed your journey to mountain and valley, where the
sweet scented air breathes a fragrance over the homes that we knew long ago”.
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“Golden harps of the Prophets” is harmonized before the flute decorates “We have
drunk from the cup of affliction”.
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The orchestra surges into the final, “Oh inspire us Jehovah with courage” as the
Nabucco
strings and woodwind wail before the chorus ends peacefully
© Active Music Services 2006