Join the EPO as it inaugurates a new series designed to explore the vast world of orchestral music. Enter our orchestral time machine and journey from Giovanni Gabrieli’s Canzoni of the renaissance, Bach’s compositions from the baroque era, the romanic music of Tchaikovsky all the way back to our own 21st century with Canadian John Estacio's Frenergy.

The Tragic Overture by Brahms comments dramatically on the spirit of tragedy in human life. Written at the same time as the jubilant Academic Festival Overture, Brahms famously declared “one weeps, the other laughs”.

Shostakovich was more strongly affected by the vagaries of history and politics than most composers, since he lived in a country where "Big Brother" was constantly watching everyone.

It is thought that Shostakovich began his Symphony No. 10 only a few months after Stalin’s death, a political shift that brought forth a time when the Soviet government stopped bullying.

Franz Liszt published “Les Préludes” in 1856, and the term “Symphonic Poem” was born – a work inspiring scenes, images, or moods. Brahms’ mighty Piano Concerto was inspired by the composer’s experiences crossing the Alps to Italy as he drafted his ideas for his monumental second Piano Concerto.