Wc 25th Spetember 2023

Igor Stravinksy

Key Information

Born: 1882

Died: 1971

Nationality: Russian

Genre: 20th Century Classical

5 Interesting Facts

• He was born in Russia in 1882.
• Stravinsky composed a piece of music for elephants!
• In 1913 there was a riot at the first performance of his ballet: The Rite of Spring.
• Stravinsky was the most written-about composer of the 20th century.
• He studied law at university but his real passion was music and composition

Take a listen to...

Finale from The Firebird Suite

Rite of Spring: The Sacrifice

Circus Polka

Pulcinella: Overture

Tango

WC 18th September 2023

Rachel Portman

Key Information

Born: 1960

Nationality: British

Genre: Film

5 Interesting Facts

• Rachel Portman was the first female composer to win an Academy Award, for the score of Emma.
• She has composed the scores for over 100 films.
• Portman began scoring films at the age of 14.
• She scored her first major film at the age of 22 (the film Privileged was also actor Hugh Grant’s debut performance)
• Portman collaborated with her husband, Uberto Pasolini, on a film he directed (Still Life; 2013).

Take a listen to...

End Titles

Theme from 'Emma'

ask the river

The Last Dinner

Bailey

WC 4th September 2023

Louis Armstrong

Key Information

Born: 1901

Died: 1971

Nationality: American

Genre: Jazz

5 Interesting Facts

• Louis Armstrong is among the most influential figures in jazz - career spanned five decades and different eras in the history of jazz.
• Armstrong played trumpet and was an influential singer and skillful improviser.
• He appeared in films such as High Society alongside Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra, and Hello, Dolly! starring Barbra Streisand.
• Armstrong's career began in the brass bands and on riverboats in New Orleans.
• He was the first African-American entertainer to gain white (and international) popularity

Take a listen to...

What a Wonderful World

Swing that Music

New Orleans Stomp

I've got a Heart full of Rhythm

Potato Head Blues