Explore: the overture
With a name derived from the French word, meaning literally "opening", the overture has a long a varied history, running from an integral part of the baroque suite (also, confusingly, itself called an "Overture" in Bach's case) to free-standing concert pieces.
Read more…Early overtures were also called sinfonias (a term that lived on well into the 19th century) and their formal layout provided the basis for the nascent genre of the symphony. Overtures can be dramatic curtain-raisers in the opera house, where they often take the form of a 'Potpourri' of the work's hit tunes. Some descriptive overtures served as precursors to the tone poem, while others were written to reflect and celebrate grand occasions. This playlist covers that range, taking in some of the best-known overtures and taking you on a musical journey (loosely organised thematically and geographically) through the centuries. You’ll find grandeur, wit, pomp and occasionally a little bombast – not to mention some brilliantly arresting and engaging music.