Written before teaming up with W.S. Gilbert, the first performance of "In Memoriam" was in 1866 at the Norwich Festival. Just before Sullivan started the composition, his father passed away. Sullivan turned his grief to the completion of this overture. It is also thought that the work was initially inspired by a poem of the same name by the Lord Tennyson Alfred.

The overture enjoyed much success during Sullivan's lifetime, although sadly is seldom heard today. This arrangement of the work is...