The Music Workshop Company Blog

Each month the Music Workshop Company publishes two blogs. One blog, written by the MWC team addresses a key issue in Music Education or gives information about a particular genre or period of music. The other blog is written by a guest writer, highlighting good practice or key events in Music Education. We hope you enjoy reading the blogs.

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To contribute as a guest writer please email Maria@music-workshop.co.uk

Posts tagged “IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES”

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Puccini 100 years on

Posted on 15th October 2024 at 15:40

Giacomo Puccini is widely regarded as one of the greatest opera composers of all time, and second only to Verdi in terms of the great Italian opera writers.

Puccini was one of the young school of composers who were active in Italy as Verdi’s long career was coming to an end. Many of his works were written in the ‘verismo’ style – placing everyday people at the heart of the action, with subject matter that often focused on romance and passion.

Several of his operas are now considered staples of the genre, such as ‘La bohème’, ‘Madama Butterfly’ and ‘Tosca’ (a favourite of our Artistic Director, Maria Thomas).

Puccini died on 29th Nov 1924, and as the 100th anniversary of his death approaches, we take a closer look at his career.

Doris Akers at 100: the ‘Miss Gospel’ who helped to bridge cultural gaps

Posted on 15th May 2023 at 17:15

Image credit: US Embassy Sweden, used under Creative Commons licence.

In May 1923, a new talent was born who would change the face of gospel music and bridge the gap between black and white musical cultures. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Doris Akers – known to many as ‘Miss Gospel’ – we take a look at her musical career and influence.

Rachmaninoff at 150: the pianists’ composer

Posted on 16th March 2023 at 12:52

Sergei Rachmaninoff in 1921. Source: Wikimedia Commons (Kubey-Rembrandt Studios, Philadephia, Pennsylvania)

This year sees the 150th anniversary of the birth of renowned pianist and composer Rachmaninoff, whose music has divided opinion yet remained popular for many decades. We take a look at his life and work, and ask what has made his compositions – which are renowned for being challenging to play – so successful with audiences around the world.

Celebrating The Dark Side of the Moon – a 50-year legacy

Posted on 15th February 2023 at 15:46

Photo by KarleHorn - source: Wikimedia Commons

On 1 March 1973, Pink Floyd firmly cemented their place in music history when they released The Dark Side of the Moon. It was an introspective concept album that was also technically ambitious, featuring experimental synthesiser sounds, tape loops and philosophical quotes as part of the music’s many layers. That may not sound like a recipe for popular success, but today it’s one of the best-selling albums of all time, beloved by critics and music fans around the globe.

As the music world celebrates the record’s 50th anniversary, we look at how it was created, and what’s behind its enduring popularity.

Stravinsky & Diaghilev – Anniversary of a Collaboration

Posted on 12th February 2020 at 10:17

1920 was a busy year for Stravinsky and Diaghilev with the premiere of the ballet Le Chant du Roissignol on 2nd February and the premiere of Pulcinella on 15th May.

Stravinsky first worked with Diaghilev on L’Oiseau de Feu (The Firebird) in 1910.

The work is of interest both as Stravinsky’s breakthrough piece and as the beginning of one of the most well known collaborations in the ballet world.

Handel’s Water Music – 300 Years in the Charts

Posted on 14th July 2017 at 14:30

July 17th 2017 marks the 300th anniversary of the first performance of Handel’s famous Water Music. The orchestral suites were written for a party on the Thames river in London, held by King George I, in 1717.

The music consists of the Suite in F major (HWV 348), Suite in D major (HWV 349) and Suite in G major (HWV 350). However, although many of the pieces became instant hits throughout London, none of them were published at the time. Extensive research by Samuel Arnold led to a 1788 edition of nineteen pieces that is generally accepted as the authoritative Water Music, but the original structure is unclear.