William Hurlstone: Variations on an Original Theme - The Magic Mirror - Variations on a Hungarian Air
10/1/2006, 9 Tracks, 56:11
Featuring
Nicholas Braithwaite
London Philharmonic Orchestra
William Hurlstone
Did you know?
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Composer Biography
William Yeates Hurlstone, the composer, came from a family distinguished in the visual arts; his grandfather was the first President of the Royal Society of British Artists.
Historical Context
The turn of the 20th century was a period of significant energy and achievement in English music, marked by works like Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius and Delius's A Village Romeo and Juliet.
Composition History
The Magic Mirror Suite, based on the story of Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs, was at one time quite popular and is described as ideal ballet music.
Composer Biography
Hurlstone suffered from bronchial asthma throughout his life, which ultimately shortened it, and he died at the age of 30.
Composer Biography
At the age of eight, Hurlstone was heard and tested by George Grove, director of the Royal College of Music, and Hubert Parry, both of whom were impressed.
Composition History
Hurlstone's Variations for Orchestra on an Original Theme were composed in June 1896 when he was 20 and still a student at the Royal College of Music.
Compositional Technique
Both sets of variations on this album, by William Hurlstone, show influence from Brahms's variations, particularly the Hungarian Dances in the Variations on a Hungarian Air.
