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Fast Machines

Technology and music have always gone hand-in-hand. When the orchestra matured at the dawn of the twentieth century, it could suddenly convey the might, power, dexterity and velocity of the machines that were dazzling the developed world. Cruising locomotives were portrayed in European music while a raft of American composers captured the majesty of flight and the freneticism of heavy industry. But it isn't just the orchestra that can capture the awe of a fast machines. Nor is it music from the last 100 years. Before we had vehicles that could reach high velocities, all we had was music. Schubert, Handel and Strauss prove the point. Playlist curated by Andrew Mellor.

  • Adams • Two Fanfares for Orchestra (1986) • 2. Short Ride in a Fast Machine
  • Vaughan Williams • Coastal Command Suite (1942) • 5. The Hudsons take-off from Iceland
  • Glass • Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 (1987) • III. ♩ = ca. 150 – ♩ = 104
  • Alkan • Le chemin de fer for Piano op. 27 • Vivacissimamente
  • Beethoven • Symphony No. 7 in A major op. 92 • III. Presto
  • Nyman • Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings (1995) • 1. (No tempo indication)
  • Nyman • Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings (1995) • 2. (No tempo indication)
  • Handel • Messiah HWV 56, Part II: No. 36 'Why do the nations so furiously rage' (Bass) • Why do the nations so furiously rage
  • Brahms • An Schwager Kronos Anh. Ia/12 (after F. Schubert op. 19/1 D 369) • Spute dich, Kronos!
  • Honegger • Pacific 231 (Mouvement symphonique No. 1) H. 53 (1923) • Modéré
  • Reich • The Desert Music (1984) • 1. Fast ♩ = 192
  • Lang • Are you experienced? (1987) • 2. Dance
  • Nielsen • Symphony No. 3 in D minor op. 27 FS 60 CNW 27 “Sinfonia espansiva” • I. Allegro espansivo
  • Lumbye • Copenhagen Steam Railway Galop • Larghetto - Andante - Galop - Finale
  • Shostakovich • Moskva, Cheryomushki (Moscow, Cheryomushki), Orchestral Suite op. 105 (1957-1958) • 3. Dances: Polka – Galop (No. 26 & 19)
  • Saint-Saëns • Phaéton op. 39 R 170 • Maestoso – Allegro animato
  • Villa-Lobos • Bachianas brasileiras No. 2 (1930) (Version for Orchestra) • 4. Toccata. O trenzinho do caipira
  • d'Indy • Poème des rivages for Orchestra op. 77 (1919-1921) • 3. Horizons verts. Falconara
  • Revueltas • Música para Charlar (Paisajes) for Chamber Orchestra (1939) • Música para Charlar
  • Márquez • Danzón No. 2 (1994) • Danzón – Poco più mosso – Con fuoco – Tempo primo – Più mosso – Con fuoco
  • Fitkin • Circuit for 2 Pianos and Orchestra (2002)
  • Muhly • Fast Dances for 2 Harps (2014) • 1. —
  • Muhly • Fast Dances for 2 Harps (2014) • 2. —
  • Muhly • Fast Dances for 2 Harps (2014) • 3. —
  • Muhly • Fast Dances for 2 Harps (2014) • 4. —
  • Muhly • Fast Dances for 2 Harps (2014) • 5. —
  • Vivaldi • Le quattro stagioni (The Four Seasons) op. 8/1-4 • L'estate (Summer) RV 315 • III. Presto
  • Glinka • A Farewell to St. Petersburg • 6. Poputnaia pesnia (Travelling Song)
  • Britten • Night Mail, Original Film Score (1936) • 1. Title music
  • Britten • Night Mail, Original Film Score (1936) • 2. Percussion interlude
  • Britten • Night Mail, Original Film Score (1936) • 3. End sequence
  • Grainger • In a Nutshell, Suite for Orchestra • 1. Arrival Platform Humlet
  • Adams • The Chairman Dances (1985)