Berlin / Prague / Vienna
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New music inspired by some of the sights and sounds of three cities we visited in July 2025.
There are twelve pieces for orchestra, 4 for each capital, covering a wide range of moods.
Berlin
Alexanderplatz
An optimistic theme echoes from woodwind to brass, with strings bringing a secondary melody as we explore Berlin's busy central square, glimpsing the Fernsehturm, world clock and St. Marienkirche. The music diverts once more to solemn tones, before the first theme returns in a different key, ending in the low brass.
Allegro Moderato, F major to Bb major
Brandenburger Tor
Brass lead a solid theme accompanied by timpani and tubular bells, developing on strings. Woodwind develops the sound, building to brass chords and a further passage, before returning to the main theme with staccato woodwind counter melody.
Largo, Eb major, Bb to Ab major
Kurfürstendamm
Woodwind and harp take us on a gentle stroll along this major street, spotting the remains of Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church along the way.
Andantino, Bb major
Topographie des Terrors
Strident tones across the orchestra herald a darker minor key theme for this fascinating historical site at the Berlin Wall. Cymbals, snare drum and tubular bells add to the initial impact, giving way to a woodwind contemplation before returning to a loud flourish at the end.
Moderato, C minor
Prague
Betlemske Obvod
Woodwind and harp explore the old town streets, with melodies and countermelodies shared among the instruments. Clarinet begins, joined by flute, backed by pizzicato bass footsteps and harp. Listen out for a bassoon tune accompanied by pizzicato violins, or the breaks in the bassline as we turn a corner and discover a new street or alley.
Andante, D major
The Orloj
Wood blocks signal the clockwork while bassoon arrives with the first melody. Twelve themes take their turn, each one representing an apostle appearing at the hourly display. The apostles themes are played by bassoon (1, 9), clarinet (2, 10), oboe (3, 6, 8, 11), flute (4, 7, 12), 1st violins (5, 8, 10), horn (6, 7, 11), 2nd violins (6, 7), violas (9, 10) and glockenspiel (12).
Animato, Bb major
Old Castle Stairs
Climbing from river to the castle, this starts in the depths of stepping low strings and melody on bass clarinet. It rises as clarinet doubles the theme, with flute adding decoration, answered by oboe, before they all intertwine with bassoon.
Misterioso, E minor
Vladislav Hall
Continuing from the stairs to the castle and this dramatic medieval hall, once host to banquets, coronations and tournaments of knights. An elegant introduction on strings and trilling woodwind builds to a bold brass theme, echoed on strings. Tambourine, woodwind and pizzicato strings add a contrasting banquet dance sequence before returning to a dramatic conclusion.
Allegretto, E minor
Vienna
Stephansplatz
High woodwind melodies across the woodwind float over the decorative gothic roof of Stephansdom, before descending and accelerating to a delicate waltz across the orchestra, with solos for clarinet and flute.
Maestoso to Allegro, C major to G major
Schloss Schönbrunn
Horns introduce a robust theme for this magnificent palace, before the rest of the orchestra explores some of the many ornate rooms. Violins and oboe take turns, then cor anglais leads, before trumpets bring back the horn theme.
Andante, Ab major
Votivkirche
A hint of an Austrian hymn tune floats above the introduction to this celebration of the gothic cathedral. Oboes and violins lead the main melody, with trumpet adding a variation, before cellos play the middle passage.
Andante Religioso, F major
Hofburg
The orchestra joins together in this celebration of the Viennese palace of the Habsburg dynasty. Clarinets lead initially, echoed by horns, with flutes adding highlights. Strings take the main theme, with woodwind and brass providing the accompanying chords. Oboe and flute lead the second part before the whole orchestra joins together for the finale.
Adagietto to Allegro, F major