Just-is-ness – Page 4

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

Just-is-ness | Music | Orchestra | Symphony | transcendent

107. Made in America: Florence Price, Symphony No.1

10/02/2022 by Steve

Individual, passionate, soulful music rooted in the southern states, Florence Price’s Symphony No.1 was the first by a black woman composer to be played by a major US orchestra back in the 1930s. A Moment of History, but those ‘twin handicaps’ [her words] meant that her music has hardly been played since and we’ve been missing out on great music from a distinctive voice – it’s time to put that right! (Listening time 47 mins: podcast 8′, music 39′)… 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

Just-is-ness | meditative | transcendent

104. A timeless tale of unrequited love? Schubert, Fantasy in F minor for piano duet

10/01/2022 by Steve

A few years back my Mum got me to buy her this for Christmas and I’ve finally got around to ‘discovering’ it for myself. It’s powerful, intense and profound, Schubert’s Fantasy for piano duet. I think you’ll love it. [Listening time 25 mins)… Listen

100. Music is life! Nielsen, Symphony no.4

10/12/2021 by Steve

A bold statement from composer Carl Nielsen, that music IS life, who demonstrates it with a breathtaking symphony of awesome power and overwhelming optimism. The perfect piece for Cacophony’s 100th episode. (50 mins)… Listen

99. Heaven is a place on earth: Mahler, Symphony No.4

30/11/2021 by Steve

For ep99, I wanted to explore something deeply personal. Mahler’s Symphony No.4 is one of the first pieces I discovered for myself and it moves me like very little else. Sometimes pained, sometimes playful, but most often sublime, the third movement takes you all the way to heaven, just by opening your heart. Listening time 33 mins … Listen

Just-is-ness | meditative | Orchestra | Symphony | transcendent

98. Searching for answers and getting Marmite: Bruckner, Symphony no.3

10/10/2021 by Steve

It’s inexplicable to me, but Anton Bruckner’s music has been dividing opinion since he started writing it 140 or so years ago. He goes in search of the meaning of life and comes back with… Marmite! Personally, I love it. There are few better noises than the transcendental climax of a Bruckner symphony. In this episode, it’s the thrilling end of his 3rd. (Listening time 20 mins)… 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

Joyful | Just-is-ness | Music | Orchestra

90. Highland Fling? Mendelssohn, ‘Scottish’ Symphony (pt2)

01/07/2021 by Steve

How Scottish do you have to be to be worthy of the name? If you’re going to write a Scottish Symphony should it contain Scottish music? Does Mendelssohn pass the test? Regardless, his Symphony No.3 is brilliant, moving and surprising… (29 mins)… Listen