86. Beethoven at the theme park? Symphony No.4
Exhilarating and fun, Beethoven’s fourth symphony is like one of the best days out. This is Beethoven in the best of moods and relishing what’s possible. It’s a joyful ride! (Listening time 43′)… Listen
84. Pump up the volume (and everything else)! Beethoven, Coriolan
Why is Beethoven – perhaps – the greatest composer of them all? One thing he does is expand everything – the volume goes up to 11 and down to almost nothing. Also, he cared deeply, about music and humanity. In his Coriolan Overture he makes us care about an obscure Roman general intent on [self-]destruction… and it’s fab. (14 mins)… Listen
76. Murderous legends, happy moods, and geo-politics: Smetana – Ma Vlast
I’m always a bit surprised to find myself humming bits of Ma Vlast – My Country by one of the Czech’s favourite sons. I guess I must really love it!
Feared by the Nazis, loved by the Czechs, this is the acceptable face of nationalism, and its full of great tunes and causes deep satisfaction.
Listening time 32mins
… Listen
72. Old French fancies reimagined – Adès: Three Studies from Couperin
Delicate, sparkling and perhaps surprisingly touching, here are three short diversions from the various trials of modern life – written 300 years ago by Couperin and brilliantly rewritten in 2006 by Thomas Adès who takes delight in the sound of music. Listening time 20mins… Listen
71.Star spangled banners and unanswered questions – Ives: 3 Places in New England
Great music to mark the US Presidential hand-over! Raucous fun alongside the deep and meaningful, Three Places in New England is challenging, confusing, complex, silly and surprising music that leaves me baffled but smiling and moved too! A hundred years old but way ahead of its time from one of America’s first great composers, Charles Ives. Listening time 28mins.… Listen
69. The best Christmas treat! Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker
Three musical geniuses really make the magic come alive in Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s classic, Nutcracker. (38 mins)… Listen
59. Medieval fun and games – and a bit of moralising
This is a journey of discovery for me, exploring some musical detective work and blatant speculation with Songs from the 12/13th Century Carmina Burana- drinking, love and wickedness and all hugely entertaining! New music to me and lots to enjoy. Listening time 26 mins… Listen
57. Bach’s box of unbelievable delights: Brandenburg Concerto No.5
300 years ago JS Bach was writing music at the cutting edge – with the newest instruments and freshest ideas. I’m joined by Jason Lai, who says Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.5 is an ‘unbelievable box of delights’ in our conversation about this conversational music, that’s both moving and full of life. Listen time 34 mins.… Listen
55. Silliness, drama and love – 3 songs from Mozart’s Magic Flute
My daughter’s bed time reading inspires a brief trip to the opera, for some great singing – high drama and high silliness from Mozart’s Magic Flute. Listen time 14 mins… Listen