80. Life’s still a rollercoaster baby – Tchaikovsky, Symphony No.4 [Part 2/2]
Battered, bruised but not broken, Tchaikovsky’s emotional rollercoaster ride continues… Does this ride finish with squeals of terror or delight? [34 mins]… Listen
79. Life’s a rollercoaster: Tchaikovsky, Symphony No.4 [Part 1/2]
The song goes that life is a rollercoaster, baby, and few can give us all the emotional ups and downs as well as Tchaikovsky. The first part of this ride is stormy, turbulent, passionate and full of loss and yearning, as Tchaikovsky is battered by what fate and life throws at him. As the other song [almost] goes: He gets knocked down, but he gets up again! Listening time: 31 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
68. An unheard masterpiece from a forgotten master: Henriëtte Bosmans
You almost certainly won’t have heard this great piece or have heard of its writer. Henriëtte Bosman’s wrote her Concert Piece for violin and orchestra for her fiancé, who died before he could play it. Violinist Marina Solarek, tells the story of an amazing, passionate woman, a life and career interrupted by the Nazis, her intense and passionate concerto, and why it’s still so hard to hear great music by women composers. And the great music shows us that we’re missing out. Listening time 36 mins… Listen
66. Escape to the country? Berlioz – Fantastic Symphony, Pt2
Composer Hector Berlioz’s love-struck young artist – in his drug induced dreams – escapes to the country. In the peaceful atmosphere he dreams of love and happiness – but can it last? Listening time: 22 mins… Listen
65. Can’t get her out of my head: Berlioz – Fantastic Symphony Pt1
Driven to distraction and to drugs by a woman he’d never even spoken to, Hector Berlioz was consumed with passion. His obsession and fevered mind produced the unique, Symphony Fantastique. It’s brilliant, dramatic, original and gets three episodes of Cacophony! Listening time: 31 mins (into 9.5′; music 21′)… Listen
64. An Equal Music? France’s first great woman composer – Louise Farrenc, Symphony No. 3
This is a rarity on two counts – it’s a really good French symphony from the 1800s, and it’s written by a woman! The brilliant, Symphony No.3 by Louise Farrenc. 43 mins… Listen