Great Partnerships
Throughout the course of classical music’s history there have been many great partnerships. Robert and Clara Schumann, George I and Handel, Britten and Pears, Spielberg and Williams – these unique relationships have contributed a wealth of glorious works and performances to the classical repertoire.
In Classic FM’s exciting new series, Great Partnerships, sponsored by the new Persil and Comfort Naturals range, Richard E. Grant showcases the very best in musical affiliations.
Great Composers and the Royals
One of music’s most continuous relationships is that between composer and royalty. George Frideric Handel famously enjoyed a close relationship with George I and George II, composing some of his most successful works for the two kings, including Music for the Royal Fireworks, the Water Music and Zadok the Priest – which has been played at every British coronation ceremony since. German-born Handel was rewarded for his devotion to Britain in 1727 when he was naturalised as a British subject; when he died in 1759 he was buried in Westminster Abbey in the presence of 3000 mourners. Succeeding British monarchs have continued to be closely affiliated with classical music by appointing a Master of Music, currently Peter Maxwell Davies.
Another composer who benefited greatly from a close association with royalty was Richard Wagner, who was much admired by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Thanks to Ludwig’s financial contributions, Wagner was able to build his own theatre, Bayreuth, in which he presented the first complete performance of the Ring cycle.
Family Connections
Perhaps surprisingly, given the somewhat precarious nature of family relationships, some of the best musical partnerships are found between siblings. Basque-born Katia and Marielle Labèque are widely acclaimed as a highly communicative and artistic duo-piano team, their recording of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue sold over half a million copies on its release and they now have their own foundation and record label. Similarly, in the string world, the renowned Capuçon brothers are a fine example of a great musical partnership. Both acclaimed soloists in their own right, cellist Gautier and his older brother, the violinist Renaud, are wonderful chamber musicians and often perform and record together.
String Partnerships
The combination of violin and cello is a great example of the compatibility of particular instruments. Not only is there a wealth of chamber music for the two strings, there are also countless double concertos for violin, cello and orchestra from such exalted composers as Bach, Mozart and Brahms.
Classical Music and the Movies
Bringing us up to the present day, the best examples of composer relationships are perhaps found in the world of film music, where musicians and directors often forge strong partnerships. The most obvious of these is John Williams and Steven Spielberg who have collaborated together on almost all of the latter’s films, including Jaws, E.T., Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan and Munich. Other notable composer-director partnerships include Ennio Morricone and Sergio Leone, who brought us the ‘Spaghetti Western’, and Danny Elfman and Tim Burton; all of these composers featured highly in our 150 Greatest Movie Soundtracks Chart in the October issue of the magazine.
Thanks to this wealth of musical relationships, both past and present, Classic FM’s Great Partnerships, in association with Persil and Comfort Naturals, is sure to be an exciting and musically rich series full of entertaining stories and glorious music. Make sure you tune in every Sunday. Classic FM and you – another great partnership!
Classic FM's brand-new series Great Partnerships, presented by Richard E. Grant and sponsored by Persil and Comfort Naturals, begins on Sunday 11 October, 5pm-6pm
Brought to you courtesy of Haymarket and Classic FM Magazine. Read the full article in the November issue of Classic FM magazine, on sale on Saturday 3 October.
