After three years ‘vegetating’ in New York, Béla Bartók produced a handful of late great pieces. A dying man’s birthday gift to his wife, his often easygoing and playful last piano concerto is, perhaps, my favourite concerto of all time… Listening time 35 mins.… Listen
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
It’s great to be able to escape from life’s concerns. Dvorak’s sixth symphony is full of good tunes, and a spirit of generosity and optimism. So forget about everything else for a bit and bask in Dvorak’s warmth and positivity. 35, 24 or 57 mins listen!… Listen
I’m inspired to play this by the video game TrollFace Quest! …where a little snippet of fanfare reminds me of Mahler’s brilliant first symphony. Intro here: Music here: or here on Spotify: Please comment on Facebook.com/cacophonyonline, subscribe to the podcast, … Listen
This great piece is slightly schizophrenic – is it a serious piece of music over-run by people having fun, or a fun piece that’s occasionally trying to look serious? Ligeti was showing his love for Romania, but the Soviet Hungarians … Listen
The Soviet authorities banned the last of Ligeti’s excellent and entertaining Six Bagatelles for wind quintet – too dangerous and subversive. Were they right? Intro: Music here on film – highly recommended: and here: Total listen time 17′
Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances are very short, snappy and full of life! [9′ listen]… Listen
Cheery and life affirming music, that’s almost guaranteed to make you happy!… Listen