Baton Music

The 'Polovtsian Dances' form an exotic scene at the end of second act of Alexander Borodin's opera 'Prince Igor'. The work remained unfinished when the composer died in 1887, although he had worked on...

Alessandro Volta (1745 - 1827) was an Italian physicist whose invention of the electric battery provided the first source of continuous current. In 1899, the Italian city of Como hosted a celebration...

Alessandro Volta (1745 - 1827) was an Italian physicist whose invention of the electric battery provided the first source of continuous current. In 1899, the Italian city of Como hosted a celebration...

Cavalleria Rusticana is a tempestuous drama of adultery and revenge set in a remote Italian village. Its earthy passions, bold confrontational scenes and richly melodic score set a fashion for so-call...

Cavalleria Rusticana is a tempestuous drama of adultery and revenge set in a remote Italian village. Its earthy passions, bold confrontational scenes and richly melodic score set a fashion for so-call...

The first Vienna Philharmonic Ball was held in 1924, and set precedents which the ball committee has maintained to this day. Richard Strauss, who collaborated artistically with the orchestra for many...

The first Vienna Philharmonic Ball was held in 1924, and set precedents which the ball committee has maintained to this day. Richard Strauss, who collaborated artistically with the orchestra for many...

Richard Strauss was already a well-known conductor and composer when he wrote "Feierlicher Einzug der Ritter des Johanniter-Ordens" (Solemn Entrance of the Knights of the Order of Saint John) in 1909....

Richard Strauss was already a well-known conductor and composer when he wrote "Feierlicher Einzug der Ritter des Johanniter-Ordens" (Solemn Entrance of the Knights of the Order of Saint John) in 1909....

Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien is a five-act musical mystery play on the subject of Saint Sebastian, with a text written in 1911 by the Italian author Gabriele d'Annunzio and incidental music by the Fr...

Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien is a five-act musical mystery play on the subject of Saint Sebastian, with a text written in 1911 by the Italian author Gabriele d'Annunzio and incidental music by the Fr...

Leoš Janáček (1854 - 1928) was a Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist and teacher. He was inspired by Moravian and other Slavic folk music to create an original, modern musical styl...

When you hear the composer name Faure, you automatically think of the well-known French composer Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924). Much less well known is Jean-Baptiste Faure (1830 - 1914) who was a celebrat...

When you hear the composer name Faure, you automatically think of the well-known French composer Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924). Much less well known is Jean-Baptiste Faure (1830 - 1914) who was a celebrat...

The 'Marsch der Priester' is played at the very beginning of the second act of Mozart's opera 'Die Zauberflöte': the priests enter to a solemn march. Bruno Peterschmitt transcribed this march for a Br...

The 'Marsch der Priester' is played at the very beginning of the second act of Mozart's opera 'Die Zauberflöte': the priests enter to a solemn march. Bruno Peterschmitt transcribed this march for a Br...

'Die Zauberflöte' isn't a romantic love story but a real parable: a resemblance about higher human striving to purity and self-improvement. Not love between two people is in the centre but a more indi...

'Die Zauberflöte' isn't a romantic love story but a real parable: a resemblance about higher human striving to purity and self-improvement. Not love between two people is in the centre but a more indi...

'Die Zauberflöte' isn't a romantic love story but a real parable: a resemblance about higher human striving to purity and self-improvement. Not love between two people is in the centre but a more indi...

'Die Zauberflöte' isn't a romantic love story but a real parable: a resemblance about higher human striving to purity and self-improvement. Not love between two people is in the centre but a more indi...

Tannhäuser is an 1845 opera in three acts, music and text by Richard Wagner based on two German legends: "Tannhäuser", the mythologized medieval German Minnesänger and poet, and the tale of the "Wartb...

Tannhäuser is an 1845 opera in three acts, music and text by Richard Wagner based on two German legends: "Tannhäuser", the mythologized medieval German Minnesänger and poet, and the tale of the "Wartb...

Richard Strauss (1864-1949) composed his 'Festmusik der Stadt Wien' for 19 brass players in two choirs and five timpani. The first version was dedicated to the City Council of Vienna and premiered on...

Richard Strauss (1864-1949) composed his 'Festmusik der Stadt Wien' for 19 brass players in two choirs and five timpani. The first version was dedicated to the City Council of Vienna and premiered on...

In 1890 Rimsky-Korsakov finished his opera-ballet "Mlada". Later he derived a suite from this opera. The "Cortège" is the last movement of this suite. This "Cortège" is also known as "Procession of th...