Family friendly – Page 3

110. Shakespeare, Tchaikovsky, and how great art knows no borders. Tchaikovsky, The Tempest

10/03/2022 by Steve

Shakespeare reaches people across the world with his insights into our shared humanity and his plays have inspired countless composers to write music – providing their own way for us to connect to Shakespeare, each other and ourselves. Tchaikovsky’s The Tempest overture gives us a torrential storm, a big love theme that beats Romeo & Juliet, and one of the most atmospheric, goose-bump-inducing beginning and end to any piece of music. And almost no one knows it at all! Listening time 33 mins… Listen

108. A short break for bread and Beethoven

20/02/2022 by Steve

We’ve all got pieces of music that instantly remind us of special times and places in our lives. What are yours I wonder? (Tell me!) We’re in Sri Lanka at the moment and, bizarrely, the piece of music we’ve heard more than any other in the last few months has been Beethoven’s perfect little piano piece, Für Elise, but perhaps not as we’re used to hearing it… Here’s the story of why, and how it’s in the ears of everyone Sri Lanka. (Listening time 8 mins: podcast 5′, music 3′)… Listen

Family friendly | Orchestra

106. Ugly, unnatural, ghastly: Dvořák, The Noon Witch

30/01/2022 by Steve

Thrilling, chilling, but still somehow delighting in its brilliance, Dvořák’s Noon Witch packs a punch and leaves you stunned. Also in this episode, free parenting advice and some musings on Dr Suess! Listening time 22 mins (podcast 8′, music 14′)… Listen

105. Roots Manouvre: Dvořák, Slavonic Dances

20/01/2022 by Steve

One of music’s ultimate mood improvers, Dvořák’s “Slavonic Dances” put a smile on everyone’s face. Not merely shallow dance tunes, this is music that shows us the warmest, most generous view of humanity. It’s no wonder everyone loves them! Listening time: 10.5′ podcast and up to 35′ music.… Listen

Christmas | Family friendly | Fun

102. Nightmare before Christmas? Schnittke‘s ‘Silent Night‘

23/12/2021 by Steve

Everyone knows and loves Silent Night, right? But you probably haven’t heard it sound quite like this. It probably won’t actually give you nightmares, but it will certainly stay with you (Listening time 7mins). And despite the bleak music, I do wish you a happy Christmas!… Listen

Christmas | Family friendly | Fun | Joyful | Orchestra

101. Music from an arc-angel! Corelli, Christmas Concerto

22/12/2021 by Steve

If you want a change from Christmas pop, Christmas baroque is the way to go – here’s a sparkling little gem from Arcangelo Corelli – a great 15 minute way to reset, reflect and energise – it manages all these things! (17 mins: podcast 3′, music 14′)… Listen

97. Shake it off and get transcendent! Adams, Shaker Loops

20/09/2021 by Steve

One of the closest [classical] things to electronic dance music, John Adams’s Shaker Loops is one of my favourite things. Dreamy and reflective music mixed with thrilling dance music that leaves us ecstatic, maybe even transcendent! Listening time 32 mins (Podcast 7, Music 25′)… Listen

94. Olympic magic and the best of the human spirit: Williams – Olympic Fanfare

10/08/2021 by Steve

The intensity, joy, heartbreak and thrills of great sporting moments are almost unmatchable… except by those in great music. The magic of the Olympics is transformed by the alchemist John Williams into four minutes of musical, life-affirming perfection. Olympic Fanfare and Theme is one of my favourite Williams pieces, and that’s really saying something! (Listening time 11′)… Listen

Family friendly | Fun | Joyful | Orchestra

92. A quick and tasty Italian feast: Verdi Nabucco Overture

20/07/2021 by Steve

Even more irresistible than the Italian football team and their ace national anthem is Verdi’s overture to Nabucco. It’s rousing and joyous and simply one of my favourite things. [13 minute listen]… Listen