John Buckley explores how eight of the most popular classical works are composed. You can hear what individual instruments are playing in each composition, learn about the role of these instruments in the orchestra, and find out about the composers’ lives and the story of their music.
RTÉ’s National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Colman Pearce was recorded especially for this project. With this resource to hand John examines particular sections down into musical building blocks – you can hear the individual melodies and rhythms of the different instruments on their own and then within the context of the overall orchestra. He explains how Beethoven conjures up a storm in his Symphony # 6 (Pastoral) through the jagged rhythms of the violins and violas, the rumbling sound of the double basses and cellos and the drum rolls on the timpani. Other composers and works featured are Dukas - The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Mussorgsky/ Ravel – Pictures at an Exhibition (Excerpts), Grieg - Peer Gynt Suite (Excerpts), Copland – Hoedown from Rodeo, Chabrier – Rhapsody: España, Smetana – Vlatva, and Rossini – William Tell Overture.

Actress Ann-Marie Horan narrates the life of the composer on each episode while John Buckley describes the story of each piece. The CDs are accompanied by detailed notes and a glossary of musical terms.

2 CDs; 50 Page Booklet; 129 Minutes Playing Time


CD 1

1. Dukas - The Sorcerer's apprentice  15.04
2. Mussorgsky / Ravel - Pictures at an Exhibition 15.54
3. Copland - Hoedown fron Rodeo 16.10
4. Greig - Peer Gynt Suite No.1 17.01

CD 2

1. Smetna - Vlatva -15.59
2. Chabrier - Espana 16.08
3. Beethoven - Pastoral Symphony 15.49
4. Rossini - William Tell Overture 16.36