52. Sleepless in Havanna? Gershwin – Cuban Overture
George Gershwin spent two hectic weeks on holiday in Cuba and returned with a case full of percussion instruments, latin spirit and musical inspiration. Total listening time c14 mins… Listen
50. Christmas ballet music that’s great any time: Nutcracker
So much great music to delight and enjoy in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. And it turns out my 7 year old daughter knows the storyline better than I did! [31 mins]… Listen
48. Ravel – trying not to be profound… and failing; his Piano Concerto
Maurice Ravel wanted his Piano Concerto to be lighthearted and brilliant, and not aim at profundity or at dramatic effects… and then wrote one of the most beautiful slow movements there is! Intro here: Listen here: or on Spotify: Please rate and … Listen
47. A boy, his animal friends, a wolf and a bit of ‘politics’ – perfect young family entertainment!
One of the great pieces of music for children, Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev. Vanessa [7] loved this and is demanding repeat hearings, and I’m embarrassed at having resisted it so long… Music here: or on spotify: Listening time … Listen
45. Beethoven’s under-rated genius: Symphony No. 8 [part 2]
If there’s such a thing as an underrated Beethoven Symphony, it’s this – his 8th. Short, punchy, joy-filled, playful, brilliant! This is the intro to the 2nd half of the piece. Total listen time – 15 mins Music here: or … Listen
44. Beethoven’s under-rated genius: Symphony No. 8 [part 1]
If there’s such a thing as an underrated Beethoven Symphony, it’s this – his 8th. Short, punchy, joy-filled, playful, brilliant! Intro Part 2: Listening time: part 1: 19 mins Parts 1&2 [the whole thing] : 33 mins Music here: or … Listen
43. Lockdown haircut for me, and a trip to the Barber for us all!
Fabulous and fun singing from Rossini’s Barber of Seville in honour of my first haircut in the hands of a 7 year old (and in tribute to my friends growing magnificent lockdown beards)! Music here, with pictures: or here on … Listen
41. Mozart mixing elegance with fun
We love this movement from Mozart’s 5th – and last – violin concerto, written to play himself, at the age of 19. It’s elegant and sophisticated and then wild and free. It’s a great piece for a dance around your … Listen